Professional Excellence Award -- Joyce Gorman ’70

Joyce Gorman is a public finance lawyer who has significant experience representing financial institutions and capital markets investors, such as hedge funds and investment management companies, in developing financial and derivative products. She has a reputation for innovation and was recognized by The Legal 500 US for being a leader in municipal capital markets. Ms. Gorman has been in private practice since 1977 with large law firms, including national and international ones. In her current role, she serves as Of Counsel at Ballard Spahr LLP in Washington, DC.

STEAM Award -- Dr. Joanna Groden ’74

Dr. Joanna Groden is an internationally recognized human geneticist and Vice Chancellor for Research at the University of Illinois at Chicago. Her research, which has been continuously funded by the National Institute of Health, has identified key genetic causes of colon cancer and other inherited cancers through the identification and characterization of two human disease genes. Dr. Groden has served on several boards and advisory panels including the National Cancer Institute’s Board of Scientific Counselors, and actively participates in the peer review process for several national and international funding agencies and scientific journals. With numerous publications and patents, Joanna has been elected as a Fellow of the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS) and a Fellow of the American Gastroenterological Association.

Broadcast Journalism Award -- Sadé Clacken Joseph ’07

Sadé Clacken Joseph is a filmmaker, music video director, photographer, and singer-songwriter. During her time at Sacred Heart Greenwich, Ms. Joseph was part of the Broadcast Journalism program which she credits for nurturing her love for filmmaking. After graduating with a degree in Anthropology from Columbia University in 2011, she joined the production team for the ABC talk show The View, where she worked for four years. After leaving The View, Ms. Joseph decided to pursue filmmaking at the graduate level at USC's School of Cinematic Arts. She earned an MFA from USC’s Film Production program in 2018. Her most recent film was accepted into the Tribeca Film Festival and has the backing of Stephen Fry and Emma Thompson. Ms. Joseph is a Director's Guild of America John Frankenheimer Fellow, Inaugural 30 under 30 Caribbean-American Emerging Leader and Change Maker Award recipient for which she was honored at the White House.

Outstanding Alumnae Award - Suzanne Taylor Seitz ’58

Suzanne Taylor Seitz is a proud graduate of the Class of 1958. She is particularly valued for nurturing the memories of the people and traditions of Sacred Heart through the collection of memorabilia that she has donated to the School’s Archive. The treasure trove of items includes class workbooks, photos, prayer cards, uniforms, and more, all of which provide a detailed look at what student life was like during the 1950s. Mrs. Seitz is an inspiration to all in her class and to the rest of the Sacred Heart Greenwich community as she continues to live and practice the values of a Sacred Heart education.

Outstanding Alumnae Award -- Marion O’Grady ’69

Marion “Dee” O’Grady is the perfect combination of what we teach our students – faith, intellect, selfless giving for the good of others, and a focus on building and strengthening community as a Christian value. She is an award-winning visionary Senior Executive with a 25 year career at The New York Times. Her work was recognized with Publisher's Awards, the President's Circle Award and the Punch Sulzberger Award as a founding member of the team for The New York Times' Arts and Leisure weekend.  While there, Ms. O’Grady also created the Great Children's Read and a magazine advertorial section "Our National Parks" which helped establish the first National Park Week and "Harry Yount" National Park Service Award, presented at The White House. She also held a variety of positions of distinction and garnered industry acclaim for leading her teams and clients into the digital age. She has a blog "ATableforOne.com" and is currently working as development consultant with White Heron Theatre Company on Nantucket.  A proud and devoted alumna from the Class of 1969, Ms. O’Grady has served two terms as a trustee of Sacred Heart Greenwich, as the President of the Greenwich-Maplehurst Alumnae Board, and this year, she is a co-chair of the 50th Reunion Committee.

Outstanding Alumnae Award - Lisa Burke Fallon ’89 

Lisa Burke Fallon is a devoted alumna who has made Sacred Heart Greenwich a priority in her life. Ever since graduating 1989, she has continued to give back to the community she loves. Mrs. Fallon served on the Greenwich-Maplehurst Alumnae Board for six years, the Board of Trustees for six years, as Co-Chair for the Alumnae Campaign Committee and member of the Steering Committee for the Framing Our Future Capital Campaign, Co-Chair of the Green & White Benefit, and will soon assume the role of Vice President of the Parent’s Association. She is also the proud parent of Charlotte ’22 and Daphne ’25 who are part of the fifth generation of women in Mrs. Fallon’s family to be educated at a Sacred Heart school.

Outstanding Alumnae Award - Joan Egan Mendelson ’59

Joan Egan Mendelson ‘59 was a selfless, kind, energetic and spiritual wife, mother, grandmother, sister, friend and alumna. She grew up in Larchmont, NY and followed the path of many Sacred Heart Greenwich graduates including her mother, several sisters, and her Aunt Mavie Coakley, RSCJ, who became the Provincial of The Sacred Heart Order. She attended Sacred Heart Greenwich for five years, played field hockey and lacrosse, sang in the Glee Club, and was Co-President of her class her junior and senior year. Upon graduation from Sacred Heart, Joani entered Manhattanville College, where she enjoyed being in the singing group and graduated in 1963. She married John A. Mendelson in November 1963. They were married for 54 years until her passing in late March 2018.

While having five daughters - Meegan ’82, Cathleen ’85, Mavie ’87, Joanie, and Kim, Joani worked at her own interior decorating firm for several decades, a career she greatly enjoyed.  Joani also served on the Greenwich-Maplehurst Alumnae Board and became President of the organization. She also was a member of the Committee for the Annual Auction Dinner a number of times. She cherished her many friendships from Sacred Heart, which brought her great joy throughout her life.