Mission-Driven College of the Holy Cross

As we wrap up this series, Maura Sweeney ‘07 speaks with Mary Beth Sheridan ‘83.  After studying abroad in England during her junior year at Holy Cross, Mary Beth caught the travel bug and discovered a passion for international affairs.  Thanks to a well-timed question from Professor Helen Whall during her senior year, she embarked on a career in journalism that would take her around the world.  Beginning in Spain as a freelance journalist, Mary Beth would go on to serve as a foreign correspondent for the Associated Press, Miami Herald, and Los Angeles Times before joining The Washington Post, where she’s worked for the past 22 years and currently serves as the Mexico City Bureau Chief.  Every day, Mary Beth lives the mission by uncovering stories that have a real impact on the lives of others. Thanks to her dogged commitment to the pursuit of justice and truth, Mary Beth is lighting the way for others to follow.
 
About the Lighting the Way Series:
In September 1972, the first women enrolled at the College of the Holy Cross, lighting the way for generations to follow, women who would advance to create lives of personal and professional impact across all vocations across the globe, inspired by the foundation of a Jesuit, Catholic liberal arts education.
The Mission-Driven: Lighting the Way podcast features College of the Holy Cross alumnae who are lighting the way for others today. Through their service, professional and personal pursuits, these women are living the Holy Cross mission and leaving a lasting impact on the lives of others.
Interview originally recorded in August 2023.

In this episode, Maura Sweeney speaks with Cymetra Williams ‘03. The conversation follows Cymetra’s winding path from the Pacific Northwest, to Worcester, Japan, NYC, New Jersey, and finally, landing in Oklahoma, where, at the time of the podcast recording, she worked as the Assistant U.S. Attorney for the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Oklahoma. Cymetra recently relocated to Washington, D.C., and now works as legal counsel for Booz Allen Hamilton. While her path has not been straight, the mission and purpose that drive her work have been unwavering.  As a student at Holy Cross, Cymetra found support and inspiration from many different areas, with a particular appreciation for the programs run by the Chaplain’s Office.  Today, she continues to live a life of service as she fights for the rights of the victims she represents.  Thanks to her dedication to advocacy, care for others and care for self, Cymetra is lighting the way for others to follow.
 
About the Lighting the Way Series:
In September 1972, the first women enrolled at the College of the Holy Cross, lighting the way for generations to follow, women who would advance to create lives of personal and professional impact across all vocations across the globe, inspired by the foundation of a Jesuit, Catholic liberal arts education.
The Mission-Driven: Lighting the Way podcast features College of the Holy Cross alumnae who are lighting the way for others today. Through their service, professional and personal pursuits, these women are living the Holy Cross mission and leaving a lasting impact on the lives of others.
Interview originally recorded in August 2023.

In this episode, Maura Sweeney ‘07 speaks with Annie Long Sullivan ‘94. A native of Long Island, Annie ended up applying early decision to Holy Cross thanks to a friend from summer camp and never looked back. An English and French double-major, Annie served as a features editor of the Crusader and studied abroad in France her junior year. She continued to leverage her combination of writing and interpersonal skills after Holy Cross as she pursued roles in advertising. After a period at home to raise her young family, Annie embraced her inner entrepreneur by joining a startup and eventually founding a company of her own. Today, Annie runs soThis, an online book club that helps women connect over a love of reading. Thanks to her commitment to spreading the love of books and learning with others, Annie is lighting the way for others to follow.
About the Lighting the Way Series:
In September 1972, the first women enrolled at the College of the Holy Cross, lighting the way for generations to follow, women who would advance to create lives of personal and professional impact across all vocations across the globe, inspired by the foundation of a Jesuit, Catholic liberal arts education.
The Mission-Driven: Lighting the Way podcast features College of the Holy Cross alumnae who are lighting the way for others today. Through their service, professional and personal pursuits, these women are living the Holy Cross mission and leaving a lasting impact on the lives of others.
Interview originally recorded in July 2023.

In this episode, Maura Sweeney ‘07 speaks with Nalani Ramos Ruiz ‘21. A recent graduate of Holy Cross, Nalani has wasted no time making her mark on the future of Holy Cross. A member of the Holy Cross Board of Trustees, Nalani uses her voice to spread awareness about the importance of diverse people and perspectives among the Holy Cross community. Through her work at Raytheon Technologies, she continues to advocate for others and ensure that access to education and meaningful employment are available to all. Thanks to her care and compassion for championing the voices of others, Nalani is lighting the way for others to follow.
 
About the Lighting the Way Series:
In September 1972, the first women enrolled at the College of the Holy Cross, lighting the way for generations to follow, women who would advance to create lives of personal and professional impact across all vocations across the globe, inspired by the foundation of a Jesuit, Catholic liberal arts education.
The Mission-Driven: Lighting the Way podcast features College of the Holy Cross alumnae who are lighting the way for others today. Through their service, professional and personal pursuits, these women are living the Holy Cross mission and leaving a lasting impact on the lives of others.
Interview originally recorded in June 2023.

In this episode, Maura Sweeney ‘07 speaks with Kerry Sullivan ‘78.  Former president of the Bank of America Charitable Foundation, Kerry spent her career forging a path in corporate philanthropy.  Early on, she was instrumental in developing Philanthropic Management Foundation Advisory Services — a team responsible for providing philanthropic counsel and grants management to high-net worth clients.  As the field of corporate philanthropy grew, so did Kerry’s role and impact. Today, she sits on numerous boards where she continues to use her talents to serve others. Thanks to her professional work in service of others around the globe, Kerry is lighting the way for others to follow.
 
About the Lighting the Way Series:
In September 1972, the first women enrolled at the College of the Holy Cross, lighting the way for generations to follow, women who would advance to create lives of personal and professional impact across all vocations across the globe, inspired by the foundation of a Jesuit, Catholic liberal arts education.
The Mission-Driven: Lighting the Way podcast features College of the Holy Cross alumnae who are lighting the way for others today. Through their service, professional and personal pursuits, these women are living the Holy Cross mission and leaving a lasting impact on the lives of others.
Interview originally recorded in May 2023.

In the first episode of the Lighting the Way series, Maura Sweeney ‘07 speaks with Quinn Fitzgerald ‘11.  A mission-driven entrepreneur, Quinn co-founded a company in 2016 focused on creating products that provide a discreet lifeline to people in emergency situations. Her company, Flare, was sold in March 2023. In our conversation, we speak about Quinn’s journey to becoming the co-founder of Flare and all of the impactful moments along the way. As someone committed to championing founders, survivors, entrepreneurs and students, Quinn is lighting the way for others to follow.
 
About the Lighting the Way Series:
In September 1972, the first women enrolled at the College of the Holy Cross, lighting the way for generations to follow, women who would advance to create lives of personal and professional impact across all vocations across the globe, inspired by the foundation of a Jesuit, Catholic liberal arts education.
The Mission-Driven: Lighting the Way podcast features College of the Holy Cross alumnae who are lighting the way for others today. Through their service, professional and personal pursuits, these women are living the Holy Cross mission and leaving a lasting impact on the lives of others.
Interview originally recorded in May 2023.