LEADERSHIPEmpowering
EMPOWERING LEADERSHIP
Introducing the Leadership Department at Gwynedd Mercy Academy High School—where empowerment meets opportunity. Through a range of dynamic, grade‑level programs, the department invites students on a journey of self‑discovery, personal growth, and leadership development designed to meet them at each stage of their high school experience.
At the heart of the program is a commitment to cultivating character, building confidence, and fostering resilience— essential qualities for leadership in real‑world settings. Research highlighted in The Confidence Code by Katty Kay and Claire Shipman points to a notable decline in confidence often experienced by young women between the ages of 8 and 13, making intentional leadership education at the high school level both timely and transformative.
The Leadership Department’s approach is a thoughtfully curated blend of hands‑on experiences that encourage students to take initiative, embrace challenge, and grow through reflection. GMAHS champions teachable moments, empowering students to take healthy risks, learn from mistakes, and recognize their unique strengths—preparing them to lead with authenticity,
Purpose
The Leadership Department of Gwynedd Mercy Academy High School is dedicated to cultivating the next generation of female changemakers. Its mission is to provide a faith‑based, Mercy‑centered educational experience that empowers young women and inspires them through the four pillars of leadership:
communication, collaboration, perspective, and resilience.
These essential leadership skills foster executive presence and confidence, equipping students to break barriers for women in
“We should be shining lamps, giving light to all around us.”
Catherine
McAuley
Sisters
of Mercy Foundress
Pillars of Leadership
COMMUNICATION
Students will develop executive presence, demonstrating composure and confidence in their abilities. They will hone robust verbal and nonverbal communication skills. Students will also master the art of giving and receiving respectful and constructive feedback, in the spirit of continuous improvement.
COLLABORATION
Students will learn the value of teamwork and accountability, promoting collective success while taking responsibility for their individual contributions. They will forge meaningful connections with a variety of groups, including students, faculty, alumnae, and professionals within the community. Through collaboration, students will develop a strong understanding of shared goals and effective teamwork.
PERSPECTIVE
Students will increase their emotional intelligence by learning to navigate and regulate emotions. They will foster empathy, cultivating a genuine understanding of others’ feelings, and maintain situational awareness to grasp the context of various situations. This emphasis on perspective contributes to development of well rounded, compassionate leaders capable of making informed decisions.
RESILIENCE
Students will build adaptability to navigate changing circumstances, demonstrating perseverance and sustained motivation to achieve their goals despite unforeseen challenges. Through resilience, they will develop mental fortitude to overcome obstacles and emerge stronger and more resourceful in the face of adversity.
Leadership Programming
Leadership at Gwynedd Mercy Academy High School is more than a concept—it’s a journey. From freshman year forward, students are immersed in grade specific leadership education through advisory programs, electives, and workshops designed to inspire growth, responsibility, and confidence.
IN THE CLASSROOM
Faculty is driven to inspire passion and purpose by providing constructive feedback.
ON THE FIELD
From goal setting to collaborating with teammates, students practice executive skills that extend beyond an athletic setting.
IN THE STEM LAB
A passion for the sciences, combined with collaboration, fosters resilience and forward thinking.
WITHIN CLUBS & ACTIVITIES
Teamwork is the foundation of our clubs and activities with all members exercising accountability and responsibility.
IN THE ARTS
On stage and in the art room, perspective is taught and understood through creative expressions in various mediums.
PROGRAM 9TH 10TH 11TH 12TH
Murray ’24 Externship at Hickory Veterinary and Specialty Hospital
Amanda
Electives
ENGAGED COMMUNICATIONS
Build your voice. Strengthen your connection.
Engaged Communications focuses on how leaders communicate with clarity, empathy, and confidence. Students develop strong speaking, writing, and digital communication skills while learning to listen actively, collaborate effectively, and adapt their message for diverse audiences. Emphasizing relationship‑building and meaningful dialogue, the course prepares students to express ideas thoughtfully, advocate with purpose, and engage authentically within their communities and beyond.
GradeThemes
DESIGN LEADERSHIP
Turn ideas into impact. Lead with vision and integrity. Design Leadership prepares students to guide ideas, teams, and change through creative problem‑solving and ethical decision‑making. Using design thinking as a framework, students learn to navigate complexity, honor diverse perspectives, and develop solutions grounded in collaboration and service. Rooted in Mercy values, the course empowers students to lead with confidence, inspire others, and make a positive difference in their school, community, and future endeavors.
Emma Greenhalgh ’24, founder of enduring Leadership Department initiatives
Ella Gross* ’21
United States Military Academy West Point ’25
*Alumna of the inaugural Leadership Department cohort.
ETHICAL ENTREPRENEURSHIP
Open to grade 10
2-year curriculum, 15 students accepted KNOWN AS THE “MERCY VERSION OF SHARK TANK” JENNIFER GUARNACCIA, ’93, P’22, ’25
Lead4Change is a nationally recognized leadership program centered around community service.
Year 1: Students undertake a comprehensive leadership course comprised of 36 lessons, including grant writing, business development, marketing, communications, and ways to explore individual passions.
Year 2: Students embark on the practical application phase by launching their own Lead4Change project. This service based initiative is pitched, organized, and funded by students through grant applications.
Participation in a Lead4Change project provides students with a tangible opportunity to make a positive impact in their community while developing essential leadership and entrepreneurial skills.
Contributing organizations include:
LEAD COUNCIL
Open to grades 11 and 12
The LEAD Council is a student led group committed to advancing women’s initiatives through four core leadership pillars: Communication, Collaboration, Perspective, and Resilience. The council organizes a variety of school wide assemblies focused on women’s initiatives, covering global, athletic, and professional topics. Additionally, the LEAD Council is responsible for planning and launching key events such as the Senior Leadership Conference, International Day of the Girl, Women and Sports Day, Leadership Day, and Women’s History Month.
The council is also tasked with publishing a monthly leadership newsletter featured in the Mercy Messenger, the weekly school newsletter to students and parents.
Ava Kolp ’24
Externship at Jefferson Institute for Bioprocessing
EXTERNSHIPS
Open to grades 10 and 11 (summer prior to grade 12)
Students interested in real world experience can apply, interview, and secure positions with companies through the Externship program. Externships, primarily conducted over the summer, require participants to complete 30 hours of work, maintain a journal documenting their experiences, and create a presentation highlighting key takeaways. This immersive experience prepares students for their future studies and career pursuits, enhancing their understanding of the professional world.
Students may secure their own externships through networking and tools such as LinkedIn, or choose to receive placement assistance.
INTERNSHIPS
Open to grades 10, 11 and 12
In late spring, students have the opportunity to apply for one or more than 20 internships across various school departments such as Culinary, Marketing, Advancement, Diversity & Belonging, Technology, and more. Throughout the academic year, interns engage in hands on projects, accumulating valuable practical experience and upon completion, students receive a stipend. The program concludes with an internship reception in which parents are invited, celebrating the achievements of the interns.
Culinary interns
Stevie McDonald ’26 and Sophia Moore ’26.
Zoé Mackey ’24
Internship at GMAHS Science Department & Externship at Law Office of Bonnie-Ann Brill Keagy P’24
COMPANY PARTNERSHIPS INCLUDE...
BIOMEDICAL RESEARCH
Jefferson Institute for Bioprocessing
BUSINESS
Ameriscend
Blue Bell Private Wealth Management
Baird Financial
Centennial Lending Group
Impact Executive Consulting
JP Food Sales
La Salle University’s Center for Entrepreneurship
Straub Jewelers
Westinghouse Lighting
Xavier Creative House
DESIGN/MARKETING
FluxSpace
Forward Golf
Girls’ Life Magazine
House of Color
Little Red Monkey
The Styling Gypsy
ENGINEERING/PROJECT MANAGEMENT
Almeida Hudak
Danella Construction
DCO Energy/Jingoli
Hunt Engineering
FINE ARTS
The Kimmel Center
GOVERNMENT
Senator Maria Collett
NONPROFITS
Kelly Anne Dolan Memorial Fund
MEDICINE
Blue Bell Physical Therapy
BrainTERNS at Lenox Hill Hospital
Clark School for Hearing and Speech
Clinical Neuropsychology Associates
DCO Orthodontic Specialists
Hickory Veterinary and
Specialty Hospital
Jefferson Einstein Hospital
MENTORSHIPS
Open to grades 11
This program facilitates mentorship pairings between Juniors and accomplished Alumnae. The aim is to offer guidance in career preparation, providing mentorship as students prepare themselves for higher education and future professions.
230+ mentorships successfully established in last two years
ALUMNAE COLLABORATIONS
Gwynedd Mercy Academy High School’s official networking group is called Gwynedd Force, a private Linkedln Group. This group is an important component of the high school curriculum that offers students a structured opportunity to connect and network with Alumnae, fellow students, and parents.
It serves as a valuable space for discussions and information sharing related to career pathways and various other opportunities, enhancing the overall college prep experience.
1,000+ MEMBERS
Connections & Collaborations
GARDNER CARNEY LEADERSHIP INSTITUTE
IN COLLABORATION WITH UNIVERSITY OF PENNSYLVANIA
The founding premise of the gcLi is that every child has the potential to be a leader and that leadership can and must be taught. To that end, the gcLi has developed the Pedagogy of Leadership®, combining brain science, leadership studies, cultural competency, and developmental psychology.
In 2024, all faculty and staff successfully completed the Pedagogy of Leadership Certification Program, marking a significant achievement for Gwynedd Mercy Academy High School as the first institution in the United States to have all its faculty and staff certified in this program.
The certification equips Gwynedd Mercy educators with the tools to cultivate graduates who demonstrate qualities of leadership such as humility, resilience, and compassion.
Gwynedd Mercy Academy High School is the first institution in the nation to have all faculty and staff certified in the gcLi Pedagogy of Leadership® Certification Program
LEAD4CHANGE CERTIFIED SCHOOL
Lead4Change is a nationally recognized leadership program centered on community service. Gwynedd Mercy Academy High School is the only all‑girls school in the nation designated as a Lead4Change Certified School.
Scarlett Cosgrove ’24 Lead4Change Grant Recipient
Community Speaker Series
ANGELA DUCKWORTH
Author, Professor at University of Pennsylvania
In 2022, Angela Duckworth inaugurated the Community Speaker Series as the featured speaker, sharing insights from her book GRIT and discussing the transformative power of passion and perseverance. This partnership reflects Gwynedd Mercy’s commitment to instilling character development principles in our educational approach, empowering students for success in both academics and life.
AMINA CAPALDI
Founder of Wish Them Well
In 2013, Amina Capaldi founded Wish Them Well after hearing how many Americans wanted to help improve the lives of Africans. Having experienced the hardships of walking for miles in extreme heat to find water, she knew access to clean water could transform lives. She began raising funds to build wells in Togo. Acting as a link between volunteers, contractors, and village leaders, Wish Them Well built its first well in May 2013.
STEPHANIE HUMPHREY
Author, Content Creator and TedX Speaker
Stephanie Humphrey shared her signature seminar, ‘Til Death Do You Tweet, with students to help them understand the importance of social media responsibility and good digital citizenship.
RYAN MANION P’27
Author, Podcaster and CEO of The Travis Manion Foundation
Ryan Manion, CEO of The Travis Manion Foundation, has served as a keynote speaker and has brought various programs to campus, including the foundation’s signature program, “Character Does Matter.”
JILLIAN MELE ’01
Award-winning Journalist, Entrepreneur and Podcaster
Alumna, Jillian Mele, stepped out of the national spotlight as an award winning journalist to start her own communication company and brand, Skill Studio with Jillian Mele. Students worked with Jillian and had access to her online course for interviewing, resumes and networking.
MICHAEL SEGAL
CEO of Skylight
Michael Segal is the founder and CEO of Skylight, a consumer electronics company known for its digital frames and smart calendars designed to connect families He has worked with our students involved in Lead4Change, helping to instill their values of service‑based entrepreneurship , donating frames to residents at St. Joseph’s Villa, to help further the student’s project, Heart and Home.
A SPECIAL THANK YOU
We extend a special thank you to BLBB Charitable Foundation and The Edward E. Ford Foundation for their continued support. The achievement of schoolwide gcLi certification, along with the implementation of leadership programming, a speaker series, and hosting special guest presenters has been made possible thanks to the generous support of donors, partners, and grantors.
