School Leadership

List of 8 members.

• 

  Megan Mannato 

  Head of School

  Syracuse University - B.A.
  New York University - M.A.

  Bio

  Megan brings extensive experience in higher education, having spent 11 years at NYU in the admissions office and student affairs, followed by her role as Dean of Students at the School of Visual Arts, where she oversaw housing, residence life, disability services, student life, and the health and counseling offices. During her time at NYU, she earned her Master’s degree in counseling, which clarified her ultimate goal: to focus on the individual student and make a meaningful difference in their lives. This passion led her to Lacordaire, where she describes her work as one of the most rewarding experiences of her career.

   

  Outside of school, Megan lives in Montclair with her husband, a daughter who is a college freshman, and two small dogs. She and her husband, who met at Syracuse University, are lifelong Orange fans. Their happy place is Long Beach Island, NJ, where they enjoy spending time on the beach.
• 

  Suzanne Bilicska 

  Associate Head of School

  University of Tampa - B.A.
  University of Tampa - B.S.
  Caldwell University - M.A.

  Bio

  Suzanne has served Lacordaire Academy in many capacities, bringing dedication and leadership to each role. Her experience includes teaching, creating and directing the Academy’s summer camp program, moderating clubs and sports, chairing accreditation efforts, and serving as Head of Lower and Middle School. In her current position as Associate Head of School, she works closely with faculty on curriculum development while continuing to teach electives such as Sociology, Introduction to Education, and Forensic Science.

   

  Suzanne is the recipient of the Sister Mary John Kearney, O.P. Award for Outstanding Action Research Project in Curriculum and Instruction. She has presented for NJAIS and is currently pursuing her Ed.D. in Educational Leadership. She is also an active member of several academic honors organizations.

   

  Outside of school, Suzanne enjoys attending New Jersey Devils games, cheering for the Buffalo Bills and New York Giants, exploring her creativity through arts and crafts, and spending time with her family.
• 

  Saydi Callahan Keefe 

  Director of Advancement and Enrollment Management

  University of Florida - BFA
  Montclair State - MFA
  Caldwell University - Ed.D. Candidate

  Bio

  Saydi Callahan Keefe leads Advancement and Enrollment at Lacordaire Academy, partnering with families, faculty, and alumni to welcome new students and strengthen the community. She brings a creative spirit and a steady, people first approach to admissions, development, and engagement.

   

  Before joining Lacordaire, Saydi built a career in publishing in New York City, then taught as a professor of art history and painting. That blend of industry and academia shaped her eye for design, her love of storytelling, and her belief that relationships are at the heart of every mission.

   

  Saydi holds a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Design from the University of Florida and a Master of Fine Arts in Painting from Montclair State University. She is a Doctor of Education candidate in Educational Leadership at Caldwell University.

   

  Outside of work, Saydi loves to paint, travel, cook, and ski. She is also a proud Lacordaire parent, with two of her children enrolled as students, and she treasures the daily joy of learning alongside them in this community.
• 

  Kaitlyn McFarlane 

  Dean of Student Affairs

  Caldwell University - B.A.
  St. Peter's University - M.A.

  Bio

  Kaitlyn McFarlane has dedicated 14 years to Catholic education, serving in roles that include Social Studies and Religion teacher, Director of Campus Ministry, and, since 2019, Director of Counseling at Lacordaire Academy. In 2024, she became Dean of Student Affairs, guiding students with care and commitment rooted in the Dominican tradition. McFarlane also serves as Director of the Caldwell Dominican Associate Program and contributes to the National Dominican Associate Directors leadership team. In June 2025, she was honored with the Lacordaire Key Award, a distinction she holds with pride.
• 

  Kelly Reilly McCarthy 

  Director of Marketing and Communications

  Parsons School of Design - B.F.A.

  Bio

  Kelly began her career in the Chelsea studio of British-American photographer Adam Fuss, assisting in the production of his acclaimed large-scale works. She then joined Questroyal Fine Art, a leading Manhattan art gallery specializing in 19th- and early 20th-century American painting, where she served as collections manager, overseeing the acquisition, framing, and restoration of hundreds of works spanning impressionism, modernism, Hudson River School, Ashcan School, and realism. 

   

  Before joining Lacordaire’s leadership team in 2021, Kelly was creative director for an established purveyor of diamonds and fine antique jewelry. She has also provided editorial, marketing, and PR support to designers in the luxury sector as well as organizations such as Cornell University, the City University of New York, and the Standing Rock Sioux Tribe. A graduate of Parsons School of Design, Kelly’s work in cameraless photography has been exhibited with Italian fashion house Max Mara and in various solo and group shows across cities in the U.S., Europe, and Asia. 

   

  Outside of work, Kelly plays flute in the Bloomfield Symphony Orchestra, enjoys working in her home darkroom, and, with her husband, loves to visit historic East Coast properties, especially in Newport, RI, where she has been a Preservation Society member for over a decade.
• 

  Denise Wagner 

  Director of Major Gifts; Alumni Officer

  University of Pennsylvania - M.B.A.
  Dickinson College - B.A.

  Bio

  After a 20-year career in corporate lending at The Bank of New York and Deutsche Bank, Denise embarked on a second career in fundraising for educational institutions, spending  ten years at Rutgers University – New Brunswick and joining Lacordaire two years ago. Denise is committed to the transformative impact of philanthropy in education. At Lacordaire, Denise leads fundraising initiatives to secure financial resources to provide students with the top-quality, values-based education that is the Academy’s hallmark.  She also focuses on alumni engagement, creating opportunities for graduates to stay connected and contribute to Lacordaire’s enduring mission. In her spare time, Denise enjoys swimming, bicycling, and traveling abroad.
• 

  Elizabeth Owen 

  Director of Operations and Crisis Management

  Bio

  Liz brings experience from her time at Nike and has completed training at the Safety and Security Specialist Academy. She has been recognized with the Key Award for her dedication and outstanding performance as Operations Director at Lacordaire Academy, where she manages everything from auxiliary programs like aftercare and sports clinics to keeping the community safe through oversight of plant and facilities and all other essential safety protocols.

   

  Outside of work, Liz enjoys traveling, playing ice hockey and beach volleyball, indulging in ice cream, and spending time with her dog, Benny.
• 

  Karen Arnone 

  Director of Finance & HR