Saint Viator Leadership Team Brings Excitement and Energy to the Table

As he begins his second academic year, President Ryan Aiello looks forward to working with the Saint Viator Leadership Team. These administrators bring their expertise to the table, helping to advance the mission and vision of the school together.

“It’s not just the president and principal making all the decisions, unilaterally,” Mr. Aiello says. “It’s a broader group of people, all playing pivotal roles.”

They include Dr. Erika Mickelburgh, Principal; Karen Koch, VP of Finance; Angela Ferrazza, VP of Strategic Initiatives; Nolan Dowling, Athletic Director; Beth Zimmerman, Marketing & Brand Consultant; Ann Perez, VP of Mission & Identity; Chris Bremner, Director of Admissions; and Jeff Ardito, VP of Institutional Advancement, and Dayna Imhoff, Human Resources Consultant.

“This new leadership is full of great energy, the right mix of business and academia experience, a supportive attitude, and collaborative thought,” Mr. Aiello says of the team.  “They are the right group to help create and execute a strategic plan, which will roll out in the spring.”

Their input will offer valuable insight as the school embarks on new projects in the coming years, starting with boosting enrollment, focusing on retention, and exploring all avenues to enhance facilities, both inside and outside of the building.

“In the coming years, we plan to strengthen our college and career readiness opportunities, increase our dual credit offerings, and enhance our facilities,” Mr. Aiello says. “In short, I don’t want people to enroll at Saint Viator based on reputation alone. Yes, we’ve spent decades nurturing students’ minds, bodies, and spirits, but we’re primed to make some major advances that will only make the student experience better.”

For starters, Saint Viator will make a more concerted effort to engage with its partner schools and create more opportunities to get students on campus at an earlier age.   

New Principal Erika Mickelburgh knows firsthand about deepening relationships with Saint Viator’s partner schools, coming from her most recent role as principal of St. Paul of the Cross School in Park Ridge. However, she and the other new members of the Leadership Team also bring solid experience in secondary education – and an energy to work together that is contagious.

“It’s a very exciting time at Saint Viator. We have an excellent team to move our vision of excellence forward,” Dr. Mickleburgh says. “We’re evaluating new programs, how we structure the school day, new technology, inclusion services, and of course working with amazing people in the faculty and staff – and our students.”

Another new member is Angela Ferrazza, who joins the school in a newly created position of Vice President of Strategic Initiatives. Mrs. Ferrazza brings a wealth of experience from her years with Northwest Suburban High School District 214.

“I’m passionate about bringing career discovery to Saint Viator,” she says, “including finding internships through community partnerships that would give our students so many more opportunities to succeed.”

She will also be involved with developing strategic planning initiatives, as well as with planning and executing capital campaigns, endowment programs, and scholarships.

“But it all starts with our alumni base,” Mrs. Ferrazza says, “and engaging them in everything we do.”

Another new member to the Leadership Team is Athletic Director Nolan Dowling, who already is juggling team schedules and large numbers of students participating in sports this fall – including more than 50 on the inaugural girls’ flag football team.

“My number one goal is to prepare kids for life after high school – through sports,” Mr. Dowling says. “They learn so much in sports, from leadership and knowledge, to time management, creative thinking, and overcoming adversity.

“I’m trying to prepare them for college–through sports,” he adds, “by making it a college-type atmosphere.”

Mrs. Beth Zimmerman, Marketing & Brand Consultant, is excited to be a part of this collaborative group and contribute to the energy they bring to the school.

“Saint Viator has the potential to be its best version of itself with this team, in conjunction with Dr. Mickelburgh’s Principal’s Team,” she says. “I think of our role as the scaffolding and strength under Ryan, who continues to be the friendly face and connector to our alumni and community.”