Advisory Board
- Napoleon Stephenson Jr., Chair
- Audrey Schwenger, Vice-Chair
- Beth Bailey
- Sister Owen Bonner, SSJ
- Sister Dorothy Bredehoft, SSJ
- John N. Christen
- Lynda Dennis, Esq.
- Christopher Dezzi
- Jennifer Etkin '87
- Maureen Furletti
- Robbie Hain
- Jessica Hartley - NFA PA Liaison
- Kathryn Henry - ex-officio
- Claudia Huot
- Sister Marjorie Keenan, SSJ
- Colleen Kelly Howard - ex-officio
- Dr. Ryan Killeen - ex-officio
- Sister Marjorie Lawless, SSJ - ex-officio
- Christopher McDermott ’71
- Kelsey Riethmiller - NFA PA Liaison
- John Schmidt
- Scott Wolpert '80
Napoleon Stephenson Jr., Chair
Napoleon Stephenson Jr. is a Senior Sales Executive with the MetLife Investment Management (MIM) institutional client group and is responsible for business development and client relationship management.
Napoleon joined MIM in September 2017. Prior to that he was responsible for business development and client relationship management for Logan Circle Partners (LCP), which was acquired by MetLife in 2017. Prior to joining LCP in 2016, he was a Managing Director and Global Head of Business Development for Hamilton Lane and before that he was a Vice President of Institutional Sales at Delaware Investments. Previously, Napoleon was a Managing Director at Banc of America Securities, LLC, selling investment grade bonds to institutional investors. He also spent time in sales and marketing roles at Xerox Corp. and American President Lines, LTD.
Napoleon earned his bachelor’s and master’s degrees in Business Administration from Saint Joseph’s University. He and his wife, Natalie are parents of Cameron ’11, Carson ’14, Conner ’14, and Casey ’16.
Audrey Schwenger, Vice-Chair
Audrey Schwenger joined the NFA Advisory Board in 2016 and is currently the Chair of the Development Committee. Her two children Michael '12 and Abby '14 are graduates of NFA. Audrey has a BBA in Risk Management from Temple University. She is a member of the Board of Trustees at St. Joseph's Preparatory School and is Chair of the Mission and Culture Committee. She has been an active volunteer in school and community organizations over the past 25 years.
Beth Bailey
Beth Bailey is an alumni parent of three children who graduated from NFA. Her daughter started in Kindergarten and her sons started in the preschool Montessori program. As a family, they had a wonderful experience at Norwood Fontbonne. Many of their closest friendships developed with fellow parents of children who attended Norwood. Beth has been on NFA’s Board and the Facilities Committee for three years.
She has been in the field of pediatrics for the past 40 years as a pediatric nurse practitioner. In her present position, she is the education director for our practice, and has run an educational conference that teaches medical professionals about various allergy/ asthma topics for the past 10 years.
Beth has served as the Chairwoman for the Women’s golf committee, Women’s Member Guest and Play for Pink Charity Tournaments at Whitemarsh Valley Country Club. She was a member of the committee overseeing the renovation of Whitemarsh Valley CC in 2018, as well as a member of the search committees for Whitemarsh’s General Manager, Head Golf Professional and Executive Chef.
Sister Owen Bonner, SSJ
Sister Owen has a bachelor’s degree in education and a master’s in theology. Before her role in leadership, Sister Owen has ministered as an elementary school teacher for 15 years and a principal for 33 years in predominately inner-city areas. Sister Owen maintains balance in her life by spending time with family and friends, enjoying nature and gardening.
Sister Dorothy Bredehoft, SSJ
John N. Christen
John N. Christen is a Senior Banker in the Commercial Mortgage Group of KeyBank Real Estate Capital and has spent over 25 years in the real estate finance industry. He is responsible for originating and placing commercial mortgage loans into the capital markets for the Northeast Region.
Prior to his start at KeyBank in 2014, John served as Executive Vice President in charge of Capital Markets Urban Retail Properties, LLC, Managing Director at LEM Mezzanine, Senior Vice President at RAIT Financial Trust, and a real estate capital markets underwriter and banker at Citigroup and Morgan Stanley. John began his career in the real estate consultancies of Ernst & Young, and Deloitte & Touche.
John is a graduate of Fairfield University, earning a B.A. in Writing and Political Science, minoring in French, and attended Université de Grenoble in France for one semester.
John belongs to the MBA, ICSC, and Zell/Lurie Real Estate Center at Penn. He also serves on NFA’s Finance Committee of the Advisory Board.
John’s wife, Lizanne McGuinn Christen is a 1984 graduate of NFA, as are his children, John William “Will” ’11, Elena Maria ’13; and Katherine Elizabeth ’15. Lizanne has also worked as an aide in Junior Level Montessori, a substitute teacher, and has also coached JV field hockey.
Lynda Dennis, Esq.
Lynda Dennis, Esq. has been a practicing attorney for close to 30 years. Early in her career, she worked as a child advocate attorney, representing abused and neglected children for the Defender's Association of Philadelphia. Currently, she serves as Assistant Regional Counsel, in the Office of the General Counsel, for the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, where she has worked in this capacity for 22 years. Lynda and her husband, Michael, have been married for 22 years and have two daughters, Jordyn (a junior) and Eryn (a freshman), who are currently Millennium Scholars attending Pennsylvania State University, University Park. Her daughters attended Norwood-Fontbonne Academy from 2007-2014. During that time, Lynda was an active participant in the NFA PA.
Christopher Dezzi
Christopher Dezzi co-founded The Dezzi Group with his mother, Eleanor Dezzi, in 1996. From 1996 to 2013, Mr. Dezzi served as the Vice President of the firm. In 2014, Mr. Dezzi became President of the firm and expanded the capabilities of the firm to include strategic partnership development. Since 1996, Mr. Dezzi has served as an advisor and volunteer to various campaigns at the federal, state and local level.
Mr. Dezzi sits on a variety of boards and committees throughout the Philadelphia area and beyond.
In 2001, Chris Dezzi was recognized by the Philadelphia Business Journal as one of Philadelphia’s “40 Under 40.”
Mr. Dezzi’s profile appears in “Triumphs of the Human Spirit” a book which details profiles of cancer survivors.
In 2014, Mr. Dezzi was awarded the “Ambassador of Hope” award from the City of Hope National Cancer Center for his service to the City of Hope and the cancer community.
Mr. Dezzi is a graduate of La Salle College High School. In 1996, Dezzi received his BA with dual majors in Political Science and English from La Salle University. Dezzi holds an MBA from the Fox School of Business at Temple University. He currently resides in the Miquon section of Montgomery County with his wife and daughter.
Jennifer Etkin '87
Jennifer Etkin is a Vice President with Azura Vascular Care, a division of Fresenius Medical Care. As a member of the executive team, she is involved in oversight of all aspects of the business and leads project management, operational excellence, and physician management. Prior to joining Azura, Jen was a principal with a health care strategic planning firm for 10 years. Her early career began locally in the Chestnut Hill, Mt. Airy, and Germantown communities, working at local dialysis centers and hospitals before joining the University of Pennsylvania Health System in a planning role.
Jen is a proud NFA Alum from the class of 1987 and a graduate of Mount Saint Joseph Academy. She earned a BS in Finance and Management from Fordham University and an MBA in Healthcare Administration from Temple University Fox School of Business. She and her husband Howard are parents to two NFA Alums, Kyle ’22 and Madeline ’19.
Maureen Furletti
A parent of two NFA graduates, Maureen Furletti is a Catholic educator with Master of Religious Education from Loyola University New Orleans focusing on youth ministry, curriculum development, and interdisciplinary theology. She is currently serving as a theology teacher at Mount Saint Joseph Academy.
Robbie Hain
Robbie Brennan Hain recently retired as Director of Annual Giving at the School of Arts and Sciences at the University of Pennsylvania, a position she held since 2008. Prior to that, she served for eight years as Director of Development at Norwood-Fontbonne Academy, a sponsored work of the Sisters of St. Joseph in Chestnut Hill. Previously, she worked in a variety of development and alumni relations positions at the University of Pennsylvania.
During her time at NFA, Robbie worked with the Advisory Board and the administration to plan and implement the Reaching Our Dream Capital Campaign to raise funds for the construction of the Commons Area and the renovation of James Anthony Hall. She also directed the NFA Annual Appeal, increasing receipts by 289% and donor numbers by 115% during her tenure.
From 2012 until 2016, Robbie served as a member of the Board of Directors at Mount St. Joseph Academy, and chaired the Board from 2016 to 2018. During her term, she began her role as a member of the Mount’s Development Committee, a position she continues to hold. Robbie and her husband George are the parents of two NFA graduates: Courtney ’01 and Jackie '04.
Jessica Hartley - NFA PA Liaison
Kathryn Henry - ex-officio
Kathryn Henry holds a Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education from the University of Delaware, with a minor in History, where she also completed a semester abroad in London. Mrs. Henry continued her studies earning a Masters of Education in Special Education, Summa Cum Laude at West Chester University and completed her studies in administration at Edinboro University in fulfillment of the requirements for Pennsylvania K-12 Principal Certification.
Mrs. Henry has extensive classroom teaching experience in elementary school as well as serving as a Middle School Math and Science teacher. In addition to her teaching experience, Mrs. Henry served as an instructional coach and Assistant Principal at Southwest Leadership Academy Charter School. Since 2018 Mrs. Henry has been an administrator at Northwood Academy in Philadelphia. Mrs. Henry exudes a passion for education, strong expertise in curriculum and instruction and commitment to her faith.
Claudia Huot
Sister Marjorie Keenan, SSJ
Colleen Kelly Howard - ex-officio
Colleen Kelly Howard has been serving as NFA's Director of Institution Advancement since October 2024. Colleen and her husband, Tim, live in Chestnut Hill and their three daughters (Kayleigh '19, Ainsley '21, and Rylee '23) are all graduates of NFA. During her time as an NFA parent, Colleen actively volunteered in many roles, including NFAPA President and as longtime co-chair of the Snowball Tournament.
Colleen joins NFA after a tremendously successful tenure as Executive Director of Girls on the Run Philadelphia. During her time at Girls on the Run, Colleen established the Sneaker Soiree fundraiser, instituted a young professionals associate board and expand
Dr. Ryan Killeen - ex-officio
Dr. Ryan Killeen is a native of New Jersey. Dr. Killeen began his journey in Catholic education in St. Rose Parish, Belmar, NJ. At St. Rose he first encountered the Sisters of St. Joseph and he credits that experience with shaping and forming his spiritual and personal formation and fostering an educational philosophy and world view informed by the mission of the Sisters of St. Joseph.
After attending St. Rose Grammar School and High School, Dr. Killeen attended The College of New Jersey where he completed a Bachelors in Art Education and teacher preparation. He also completed two semesters of study abroad at Maynooth University and University College Dublin, Ireland.
Upon graduation Dr. Killeen returned to his alma mater, St. Rose High School as an Art and Humanities teacher. Over ten years, he served in many roles including five years as Assistant Principal. Dr. Killeen earned a Master Degree in Educational Administration in the Seton Hall University Catholic School Leadership program. For those ten years he was gratified to serve side by side with the Sisters of St. Joseph.
For eleven years Dr. Killeen served as Principal of St. Paul Catholic School of Princeton. During his tenure the school grew and expanded program offerings. In 2012 St. Paul School was recognized as a Blue Ribbon School of Excellence by the United States Department of Education. In 2013 the school expanded to provide a Preschool for 3 and 4 year old children. In 2017 Dr. Killeen successfully defended his dissertation in completion of a doctoral degree in Education Leadership Management and Policy at Seton Hall University. His research focused on mission and leadership in Catholic elementary education.
Dr. Killeen and his wife reside in Mercer County, NJ with their two children. They are active members of St. Paul Church.
Dr. Killeen was very enthusiastic about the opportunity to return to his roots in ministry with the Sisters of St. Joseph when he was appointed as President to lead the vibrant, innovative community of Norwood-Fontbonne Academy in 2018. Dr. Killeen led NFA through the launch of a new governance model and the creation and implementation of the strategic plan, Directed Toward Tomorrow. During his tenure, NFA has completed major capital improvement projects throughout campus. has begun implementation of an ambitious campus plan, celebrated its 100th anniversary and formed a formal Montesorri partnership with Chestnut Hill College.
In October of 2023, Dr. Killeen was welcomed as an Associate in Mission of the Sisters of Saint Joseph.
Sister Marjorie Lawless, SSJ - ex-officio
Since 1990, Sister Marjorie Lawless has been gracing our campus with her wisdom, calming presence, and adoration for our NFA students and families. From a calligraphy lesson to a science module to a loving interaction with animals, Sr. Marjorie has found unparalleled ways to impact hundreds of students walking through the doors of our school.
Before joining NFA as a Montessori teacher, Sr. Marjorie was pursuing a career in science. Her love of that field and passion for learning only grew as Sr. Marjorie joined our staff as a JLA-level Montessori teacher in 1990.
Over the next 30 years, Sr. Marjorie would continue to serve as a mentor to so many – and in so many different ways. Her famous phrase, “You need to ‘Ohio’ that”, which stood for Only Handle It Once, became an often-used phrase across campus. Her knowledge and wisdom didn’t just benefit our campus then – she’s still a reliable pillar of our community.
Christopher McDermott ’71
Kelsey Riethmiller - NFA PA Liaison
John Schmidt
Scott Wolpert '80
Scott H. Wolpert has been with Timoney Knox since 1992 and was elected Managing Partner of the firm e!ective July 1, 2018. His practice focuses in the areas of special education and school law, students’ rights, and employment law. He regularly handles special education administrative hearings and civil litigation in state and federal court and has extensive experience in handling legal issues involving students and schools, including claims related to special education, bullying, harassment, sexual abuse, physical abuse, compliance with federal or state laws which protect students, and discrimination occurring in schools. He is a frequent speaker in his areas of practice. He holds a degree in political science from Ursinus College, where he was a Dean’s List student and received the Trucksess Prize for the study of law. Scott earned his law degree from the University of Richmond School of Law.
Active in many civic and charitable organizations, Scott served as a mock trial coach through the Pennsylvania Bar Association between 1997 and 2009 and 2019 to the present. He is a past president of the LaSalle College High School Alumni Association and is a past member of the Board of Advisors of the Norwood-Fontbonne Academy. Scott currently serves on the Board of Directors of Planned Lifetime Assistance Network of Pennsylvania, a non-profit organization that provides care management for persons with disabilities. Scott also currently serves on the Maxwell Football Club’s Board of Directors and he was a Division 1 NCAA football officiall between 2011 – 2018. Scott is a 1980 graduate of NFA.
He and his wife have two children who both graduated from NFA, Thomas’ 22 and Grace’ 23