Marian Catholic High School
Welcomes New Members to the Board of Directors
Marian Catholic High School is excited to announce the election of two new Directors to our Board of Directors. We welcome Ms. Maria Montero ’94 and Ms. Ashley Shickora ’03 as our newest members of the Board of Directors. They will both serve a first term of three years, ending June 30, 2026.
Ms. Maria Montero, Esq. ’94, P ’13
Maria Montero is a first generation American, born and raised between Summit Hill and Allentown. Maria attended Our Lady of the Valley in Lansford and graduated from Marian Catholic High School in 1994. Maria graduated from St. Joseph’s University, and Widener University Commonwealth Law School with a specialized degree in Law & Government. She worked with a Carbon County law firm, then segued into managing her family’s bi-lingual newspaper based in Allentown.
“I love Marian Catholic and serving as an advisor and advocate on the Board of Directors is a great honor. My family made tremendous sacrifices for me to attend Marian. The extraordinary education I received prepared me for college, law school, and most importantly, living life abundantly. Paying it forward, increasing scholarships opportunities to Marian Catholic will be transformative for students and I look forward to partnering with our community to make that happen,” said Montero. Her son, Dominic, is a 2013 graduate of Marian Catholic.
Maria is an attorney in Allentown and lives in Easton. In the Lehigh Valley, Maria was a member of the Puerto Rican Parade Committee, served on Tom Ridge’s Governor’s Advisory Commission on Latino Affairs, and was the Lehigh Valley Latino Liaison for President George W. Bush. She co-founded the Power of Women Networking Initiative and is a graduate of the Anne B. Anstine Excellence in Public Service Series committed to civic preparedness for women.
Maria’s service milestones, passion for women’s leadership, and commitment to the Latino community lead to an executive appointment in the Commonwealth to serve as the Executive Director for the Pennsylvania Commission for Women and thereafter as the Executive Director of the Governor’s Advisory Commission on Latino Affairs (GACLA).
Philanthropically, Maria serves on the following boards: Chair Emerita of the Pennsylvania Parks and Forests Foundation and DeSales University Board of Trustees. Maria previously served on the boards of the Mercy Career and Technical High School and U.S. Global Leadership Coalition.
Ms. Ashley Shickora ’03
Ashley Shickora, a member of the class of 2003, is the Director of National Accounts for BODYARMOR Sports Nutrition and is based in Glastonbury, CT. Ashley graduated from Pennsylvania State University with a degree in Economics. She then furthered her education with an MBA from Valdosta State University.
“For as long as I can remember, Marian Catholic has always been a special place for me. While a student at Saint Jerome’s School, I have memories of attending many Marian Catholic football and basketball games along with supporting our annual Men of Marian picnics,’ said Shickora.
“Upon entering the doors in the fall of 1999, Marian Catholic never fell short of what I dreamed it would be. While there, I made great friends, shared athletic accomplishments, and formed a base for further education. I firmly believe the education received at Marian Catholic , along with its religious emphasis, continue to guide me daily.”
Ashley grew up in a family of Marian graduates. Her siblings, Bruce ’04 and Kristen ’08 are proud Marian alumni, in addition to her parents, Bruce ’76 and Terri (Svetz) ’77, who still reside in Hometown. Her grandparents remain proud supporters of Catholic education.
About the Board of Directors
Marian Catholic High School is incorporated under a Board of Directors that provides the school with invaluable leadership, direction, and support in fulfilling its mission of school governance. The Board of Directors meets throughout the year and new members are elected annually.
Members of the Board of Directors for the 2023-24 school year will now include: Dave Bielen ’69 P ’91, GP ’24, Patrick Boyle ’03, Larry Furey ’79, Dan La Bert ’93, John Lavelle, Jr. ’81, Leo Marzen ’79, Maria Montero ’94, Sr. Rose Mulligan, IHM ’84, Erin O’Gurek ’03, Pat Reilly, P ’98, ’02, ’11, Jim Sauka ’66, P ’93, ’94, ’96, ’00, Leo Schilling ’57, Ashley Shickora ’03, and Bill Stulginsky ’69.
Patrick O’Reilly, P ’09, ’02, ’11 will serve as Chairman, Dave Bielen ’69, P ’91, GP ’24, as Vice Chair, Sr. Rose Mulligan, IHM ’84 as Secretary and Bill Stulginsky ‘69 as Treasurer.
Committee Chairs for the 2023-24 school year are Leo Marzen ’79, Governance and Nominating Committee, Bill Stulginsky ’69, Finance Committee; Larry Furey ’79, Advancement Committee; Dan La Bert ’91, Facilities Committee and Patrick Boyle ’03, Enrollment Management Committee.