Alumni Board Profiles
Meet the Board.
Christy Pearison ’19, ’20MLD, ’25Ph.D.
President
Dr. Christina “Christy” Pearison is a faculty member in the Management Department at Indiana State University’s Scott College of Business and a part-time advisor for the Indiana Small Business Development Center. A lifelong entrepreneur, Christy launched her first business at 19 and has since developed a passion for being both a generational and serial entrepreneur, using her experiences to guide others in building sustainable ventures.
Christy recently completed her Ph.D. in Global Leadership, with her dissertation focusing on small business resiliency in disaster management through a comparative study of the United States and Thailand. She leverages this expertise in her teaching, research, and advising, helping entrepreneurs and communities strengthen resilience in times of change and challenge.
Active in community leadership, Christy chairs the Sullivan County Tornado Coalition, the Sullivan County CEO Program, the Recovery Café, and the Saint Mary-of-the-Woods College Alumni Board of Directors, while also serving as a board member of the Sullivan County Chamber of Commerce. She was named Business Leader of the Year in 2021 and played a key role in helping raise over $1 million in capital for small businesses in 2024 through her work with the ISBDC.
A strong believer in servant leadership, Christy continues to blend her academic expertise, entrepreneurial background, and community service to inspire resilience and growth across the Wabash Valley and beyond.
Fun Fact: Christy has a big, beautiful family that is blended and blessed beyond measure. Between six children, three grandchildren, four dogs and one horse, there is never a dull moment in their lives!
Shannon Sonderman ’18
Vice President
Shannon attended Saint Mary-of-the-Woods College as an on-campus student graduating with a degree in Elementary Education mild intervention in 2018. During her time at The Woods, she was a class officer, sang in the Madrigals and played soccer. After graduation, she became the class agent. Shannon obtained her first job at Central Elementary in Clinton. There she taught for three years as a 4th-grade math and science teacher. She started a master’s in Educational Leadership in fall 2021. From 2018 to 2021, she volunteered with the Franciscan Young Adult Ministry in Terre Haute to plan events and retreats. Shannon is happy to be joining the Alumni Board of Directors so she can find ways to help other young alumni stay involved in our amazing Woods!
Fun Fact: Shannon is the seventh member of her family to attend Saint Mary-of-the-Woods College.
Nancy Beckerich ’90
Secretary
Nancy graduated from SMWC in 1990, with a degree in Paralegal Studies, and studied piano during her years at The Woods. After graduation, she worked for the Indianapolis Law firm Bingham Summers Welsh & Spillman for several years on the Creditors Rights and Litigation practice group teams. Also working as a paralegal with Kunz & Kunz, Indianapolis. Growing up on the north side of Indianapolis and currently living in Carmel, Nancy is also a mother of 4 children, ages 17 to 31. Nancy spent years volunteering in the kids’ schools, helping in the library and cafeteria, working various book sales, and being a room parent. Additionally, teaching religious education with the preschool program in her Indianapolis Parish and serving as a Eucharistic Minister over the years as well.
While at the Woods, Nancy was a member of the College Chorale, INLaw Club treasurer, tennis team and continued her piano studies. Nancy currently serves as the Director of Accounting for RAL Inspection Services, Carmel, IN, a company dealing in Corporate Relocation and Trust properties throughout the US and Canada. She enjoys her family and friends, and her chocolate lab and bunny.
Nancy is a bunny mom to an impish little Netherland Dwarf Bunny, Mooshie – and previously, Coco & Peshey. Her kids wanted the first one – Nancy did not! She ended up falling in love and has not lived without a sweet bun for the past 22 years.
Nancy is very excited to join the Alumnae Board and give back to such an amazing community that guided and shaped her and gave her some amazing lifelong friends.
Jennifer Cassidy Bierhaus ’11
Jennifer graduated from SMWC in December 2010, where she majored in history/political science/pre-law and minored in journalism. While attending SMWC, she was President of the Student Activities Committee for two years, was involved in many organizations and held many jobs on campus.
After graduation, Jennifer worked as a paralegal before attending law school. She graduated from law school in 2017 and moved to Atlanta, Georgia, where she combined her interest in working with children and the law. As an attorney, Jennifer worked tirelessly as a Child Advocate representing children in foster care in DeKalb County. She recently relocated to Anchorage, Alaska, where she continues to work in child welfare as a Special Assistant Attorney General. Jennifer is also interested in obtaining her specialty license in child welfare.
When she is not advocating for children and families, she travels the world with her husband playing in co-ed sports leagues and expresses her creative side through DIY projects, crafting and painting. She is also the proud mom of a senior rescue dog.
Fun Fact: They say The Woods speaks to you when you drive through the front gates. Jennifer didn’t know how true that was until she started attending classes, where she learned that her family had multiple connections to The Woods, unbeknownst to her. The Woods called her home and has been her home ever since!
Maureen “Mo” McEvilly Carmody ’87
Maureen graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in business administration, SMWC Class of 1987. She served on the elected Presidential Corps under Barbara Doherty, SP, ’53, Ph.D., and was a member of the Professional Business Fraternity, Phi Gamma Nu, serving as National VP for Mid-Central States from 1987-88 and National President 1988-90. Her on-campus involvement included working with fellow business majors on fundraising projects and hosting presentations by working business professionals covering a wide range of topics with significance for business undergraduates. For two terms, she managed the sales, inventory and staff of “The 1840” and served as Resident Assistant (RA) in Le Fer Hall.
Following graduation, she returned to Chicago and worked in manufacturing corporate offices before transitioning to commercial/residential property management and small business ownership – including an authentic Irish Pub. During this time, she volunteered with her children’s schools, PTA boards, youth athletic boards and currently serves in administration and accounting for men’s Irish hurling clubs.
Maureen is first generation Irish-American, married to an Irishman and very proud of her heritage. She and her family frequently attend cultural and sporting events held in Chicago’s Irish-American Heritage Center and Gaelic Park Association. Being active with Ireland Network Chicago is one of her favorite volunteer activities. Always an energetic and enthusiastic lady, Maureen has built on her childhood love of dancing from traditional Irish Step-dancing competitions to a Jazzercise leader/instructor where she can motivate even a hesitant class attendee with her fun, joyful spirit and good humor.
The opportunity to serve on the Alumni Board of Directors is an honor and she looks forward to working with the members to advance the mission of our beloved College.
Fun fact: After 21 years of working in residential real estate management, she can affirm that ‘I am still an RA!’ 😉
Camille Collera ’16, ’18MLD
Camille was born and raised in Guam and joined the military after high school. She served on active duty as a Navy dental technician/hospital corpsman for seven and a half years. After leaving the military, she moved to Indiana and worked at several law offices. Camille completed her bachelor’s degree from SMWC in 2016 and was accepted into the MLD program completing it in 2018. She is pursuing a degree in early education, works at a childcare center and serves as the Parish Catechetical Leader at Sacred Heart Church in Clinton, Indiana. Camille’s daughter is entering her second year of college in California, and her son is about to begin his freshman year in high school. She enjoys going to yard sales with her dad and dabbles in crafting.
Fun Fact: When Camille was in field med training at Camp Johnson in North Carolina, she got stuck in the river. One of her shipmates lost his Kevlar helmet in the water and could not find it (they could not leave anyone behind, so they had to stand, wait, and help him find it). It was 25-30 degrees, and she could not move her shoe. Her shipmate tried to help her let go as she untied her shoe, so she fell backward and was soaked. She could not put the shoe back on because their platoon leader started to march them back to camp. Walking through muddy waters was not fun, soaking wet with only one shoe. She can laugh about it now, but she just wanted to cry back then.
Marla Crawford ’22MLD
Marla graduated in 1978 from Indiana University with a double Bachelor of Arts in Forensic Studies and Political Science. She earned her Master of Leadership Development (MLD) in 2022 from SMWC. She also earned her Women’s Global Leadership Certificate. She is currently pursuing her Ph.D. in the Global Leadership Program at SMWC.
She has worked in various management positions for over 25 years at the United States Postal Service and later retired from Eli Lilly Corporation after 16 years of service. Marla is currently working as a Custom Trade Agent for Federal Express. Marla has also been an active member of her church and community for over 30 years. She strives to improve the quality of life for all income-challenged minority families. In Indianapolis, Marla supports the “Unmentionables Undergarment” Clothing Drive by donating undergarments to Flanner House for children who do not have any. She also provided disinfectant products during the COVID-19 pandemic and holiday food baskets for senior citizens during Thanksgiving and Christmas.
In Terre Haute, Marla has been providing donations to Club Soda, a rehabilitation center for individuals experiencing drug or alcohol dependency. She has also donated clothes and provided household products for children “aging out” of Firefly.
Additionally, Marla is a licensed Evangelist Missionary in The Church of GOD in CHRIST. Marla is enthusiastic about serving on the Alumni Board of Directors and looks forward to contributing to its success.
Fun Fact: Marla is the third member of her family to attend Saint Mary-of-the-Woods College.
“GO WOODSIES”
Beverly Randolph Fernandez ‘91
Beverly graduated from Saint Mary-of-the-Woods College in 1991 with a degree in business administration and minor in French translation. To immerse herself in the culture and learn French first-hand, she studied abroad at The University of Paris, Sorbonne, while a student. With this experience, Beverly was determined to deepen her etiquette and international protocol knowledge. As such, she became certified in business etiquette, international protocol, and children’s etiquette from The Protocol School of Washington. She also earned her master’s degree in international relations from the University of Indianapolis.
She has worked in the corporate international arena, including abroad, a certified entrepreneur, as an Adjunct at the university level and in the not-for-profit sector as an Executive Director.
Due to her intercultural training and education, as well as years in the international corporate world, including abroad, she is now an entrepreneur/Founder & Director of The Protocol School of Indianapolis, LLC, which is a certified consulting firm offering time-honored knowledge with a modern twist in etiquette and international protocol courses to meet the needs of today’s ever-changing society.
Currently, she combines her life experience and education by teaching business-related classes at Marian University, Indianapolis, whereby she was the change agent in their adult programs’ curriculum to experiential learning involving local companies and not-for-profits.
Beverly is active in professional and civic organizations. Most Saturdays, she volunteers at Our Lady of Mount Carmel at their food pantry. Married to her junior high school sweetheart in Carmel, Indiana, she enjoys making a difference in the lives of others, traveling, playing board games, decorating, gardening and anything international-related.
Fun fact: Beverly collects teapots.
Cheryl Erazmus Freeman ’74
Cheryl graduated from The Woods in 1974 with a BA degree in Elementary Education and a minor in Special Education. She taught 5th-12th grade students who were learning and emotionally disabled in Wisconsin for 35 years and is still a substitute teacher. Cheryl and her husband, Dave, have two sons and two grandchildren. From a very early age, service to others was instilled in Cheryl by her parents, who were volunteers for many veteran organizations. Cheryl is an active member of her church and has served on numerous committees. She and her husband love to travel. They have worked many hours volunteering at their local food pantry, and they also pick fruit (last year, her group picked 56 tons) that was donated to St. Mary’s Food Bank. Cheryl is currently a member of her community’s Safety and Security Committee and the Communications Committee. She leads several recreation groups for seniors and volunteers in various capacities in her community and school. Cheryl trained her dog to become a licensed Therapy dog, and together they would go to hospitals and nursing homes visiting and working with patients. Serving on the Alumni Board is a way to give back to the College that not only helped shape her future but gave her the opportunity to make lifelong friendships. She hopes to instill a love of service to the students and alumni
Fun Fact: Cheryl raises hundreds of monarch butterflies. Each summer, she hunts for eggs and caterpillars, feeds them milkweed and when they emerge from their chrysalis as a butterfly, she releases them. In the fall, she tags them to track their trek to Mexico. In the wild, a monarch has a 10% chance of survival going from an egg to a butterfly, but in captivity, the survival rate is 90%.
Anne Gruhn-Loken ’89
Anne graduated in 1989 with a Bachelor of Arts in English. During her senior year, Anne was the class secretary of her class. Soon after graduation, she began working as a Mortgage Loan Officer for Wells Fargo in Cleveland, Ohio. She and her husband Steve, a Rose-Hulman graduate, then embarked on a 20-year journey with the United States Air Force. During those years, they traveled the world, living in Italy, Hawaii and various states throughout the country. While her two boys, Jake and Josh, were in school and playing sports, she spent time volunteering and served on many boards, including as President of the Aviano Air Base Spouses Club (Italy) and Keesler AFB Spouses Club (Mississippi), where she oversaw the fundraising activities and donations. After moving from Mississippi to Hawaii, she began her teaching career at Holy Family Catholic Academy. For the next 13 years, Anne continued to teach at the Middle School level and coach tennis at Saint Mary Catholic School in Florida. Along with now teaching 5th grade ELA and Social Studies, she is a Realtor® with Coldwell Banker in Destin, Florida.
Fun Fact: I love football! College is my favorite level, but I enjoy watching the NFL as well. I’m a lifelong Ohio State University and Cleveland Browns fan.
Karen Aeschliman Hurley ’89
Karen graduated in 1989 with a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Communications and Minor in French. She earned a Master of Arts Degree in Liberal Studies with a concentration in Business Philosophy and Theory from the North Central College in Naperville, Illinois, in 1997. She is the former Chief Operating Officer for the Society of Surgical Oncology, a non-profit professional organization with the mission to improve multidisciplinary patient care by advancing the science, education and practice of cancer surgery worldwide. She holds the designation Certified Association Executive and has published 14 professional practice statements to advance the field of association management. She credits SMWC with providing her with the education, knowledge and leadership to achieve her career goals.
She serves as an Alumni Board Member to advance the mission of SMWC, support its strategic direction and reconnect the alumni with the College.
She met her husband Brian on a golf course and married in 2000. She lives in Chicago and has a dog named Jameson, after the Irish Whiskey.
Fun Fact: I was a founding member of SMWC’s first Equestrian Team in 1986. I’m a golfer, runner and occasionally saddle up for a trail ride with my favorite horse, Sunshine.
Luonna Lancaster ’21, ’22MHA
Luonna graduated from Saint Mary-of-the-Woods College in 2021 with a Bachelor of Science degree in Psychology and a minor in Sociology, followed by her Master’s in Healthcare Administration in 2022. As a mental health advocate with an interest in public service, Luonna served as the Indiana State Opioid Grant and Outreach Manager in the Division of Mental Health and Addiction. In addition to public health, Luonna also volunteers as a veteran advocate with NAMI, co-facilitating Connection Support Groups and their Homefront program for caregivers, families, and friends of military service members. Being a Navy veteran, wife, Marine Corps mother, and member of a military family representing all branches, she is passionate about providing resources and support to fellow service members and their loved ones. As a board member of Haven’s Hope Ranch & Stables, Luonna dedicates her time to supporting Haven for Healing through their equine-assisted psychotherapy program for veterans and at-risk youth. Her favorite equine therapists are Beverly, Major, and Zeb.
Fun fact: Christmas is Luonna’s favorite time of the year, with annual family traditions that include making her Grandmother’s famous chocolate Yule Log and attending the classic Nutcracker Suite.
Kathleen “Katie” O’Donoghue Ly ’90
Katie graduated from The Woods with a Bachelor of Arts in Paralegal Studies in 1990. In 2023, she earned her Master’s degree in Integrative Leadership and a certification in Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Leadership from Drury University.
While at The Woods, Katie engaged in various servant leadership roles, including four terms in the Student Senate (secretary, vice president and president), Presidential Corps, Judicial Council and Campus Ministry. Additionally, she worked as a Resident Assistant. A sports enthusiast, Katie was active in athletics at The Woods, where she played on the softball and basketball teams, serving as co-captain for four years. During the 1990 class commencement ceremony, Katie was an honored recipient of the Alumni Student Leadership and Service Award. Katie often reflects that the four years she spent at The Woods were the most transformative of her life.
Katie’s career has been richly diverse. After decades in corporate roles and entrepreneurship, she deliberately pivoted toward her true passion: helping those experiencing poverty. She currently serves as the vice president and chief operating officer at the Miami Valley Community Action Partnership, a nonprofit based in Dayton, Ohio, dedicated to eliminating the causes and conditions of poverty. Previously, she was executive director and director of strategic initiatives at two different nonprofits that address food insecurity and other poverty-related issues. In addition, Katie serves on several boards of directors for organizations focused on anti-poverty and justice initiatives. She credits SMWC for shaping her values-based leadership career and has always embraced The Woods’ motto, “Virtus Cum Scientia.”
Katie firmly believes Providence led her to serve on the Alumni Association Board of Directors. She feels deeply honored to give back to The Woods, expand the influence of Saint Mother Theodore Guerin and help reconnect alumni to their roots, upholding a mission that remains unchanged.
Katie and her husband are proud parents of four daughters. She enjoys lake life and is an avid marathoner.
Fun fact: Katie was the owner and personal trainer at Fit Chicks Boot Camp for 10+ years!
Jennifer Mathews ’20MLD
Jennifer graduated from SMWC with a Master of Leadership Development and earned her Graduate Certificate in Women’s Leadership in 2020. Jennifer double majored at Indiana University – Bloomington to receive her bachelor’s in biology and African American and African Diaspora. She also minored in chemistry and social science in medicine. She was born and raised in Terre Haute, Indiana, but currently resides in San Antonio with her husband, Jason, son, Austin and daughter, Jordan.
Attending The Woods allowed her to follow in her mother’s footsteps, who attended Saint Mary-of-the-Woods College, to continue the legacy in her family. Serving on the Alumni Board is a way to pay tribute to her mother, who dearly loved The Woods, and to give back to the institute that means so much to her family and the community.
Jenifer has worked in the pharmaceutical industry for almost 20 years. Jennifer is active in her church, serving on numerous committees, professional organizations and a fully paid life member of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP).
Fun Fact: Jennifer has been a licensed Zumba instructor since 2020 and is a Starbucks Cup Collector.
Audra Simel ’01
Audra Simel graduated from The Woods in 2001 with a degree in history/political science/pre-law and a minor in marketing. She has seen SMWC through the eyes of a camper, daughter, sister, student, alum and now Alumni Board member. In her 30+ years of being a part of The Woods community, Audra has formed a strong understanding of and commitment to the greater mission of the College and Sisters of Providence. Audra was a dynamic student leader, serving as freshman class president, head of the Student Activities Committee, a Student Senator and INLaw member, among many other roles on campus. She is a passionate Pomeroys fan and even danced at basketball games with the Orchesis spirit team (although sorely lacking the rhythm and technique required). She enjoyed spending numerous hours volunteering at the Sisters of Providence Archives, capping her experience by authoring an article chronicling the history of the Sisters in the Indiana Journal of History – a noted publication for historians and researchers.
Audra is currently the director of marketing operations and systems at Kirkland & Ellis LLP, one of the world’s largest and most successful law firms, and she has played a key role in numerous marketing and business development initiatives since 2003, working alongside the CMO, CAO and Chairman. She is a “culture carrier” with a keen understanding of how strong organizations honor their heritage to ensure future success. Last year, she launched a very popular video interview series profiling unique lawyers and staff and their extraordinary gifts, which has taken her all over the United States to film. Next stop: Europe. She has been recognized as an influential leader, a pragmatic problem solver and creative thinker, and is eager to apply her talents in service of the mission of the Alumni Board.
Audra and her husband Mark Bachara live in Oak Park, Illinois, with their rather anxious terrier Billy, where she enjoys entertaining friends, experimenting with decorating projects around her historic home, practicing reformer Pilates and has recently gotten back into her first love: tennis. Since graduation, she has been an advocate for the College, an active volunteer/leader in the Chicago, greater suburban SMWC and nationwide Alumni Club programming and always loves to join the fun at Reunion, Homecoming, special events — rarely turning down an opportunity to come to campus and recharge her spirit with the power of Providence!
Fun Fact: Audra serves as her law firm’s historian and wrote a comprehensive 100-year retrospective of Kirkland’s history in 2009 that has been distributed to over 300,000 people. The very first copy she obtained was quickly dispatched to her mentor, trusted adviser, and friend SMWC professor Dr. Paul Salstrom—thus assuring both author and teacher that all those hours in the classroom were worth it! Audra’s latest project involved curating a 17-panel heritage installation in Kirkland’s new Chicago office.