InHER Circle Speaker Series Panelist Bios
Barbara Kirklauskas '60 InHER Circle Speaker Series
Cultivating Generosity: Building a Culture of Philanthropy & Service
Tuesday, October 24, 2023 | 6:30 PM
Cuvilly Auditorium | Notre Dame Academy
Christienne K. Bik '94, J.D. Moderator
Christie joined Fallon Health in 2011 and currently leads its government relations department. In this role, her focus on strategic public policies and government relations opportunities to support and promote Fallon Health’s business objectives and mission. Prior to joining Fallon, Christie spent 8 years in the Worcester County District Attorney’s Office as an Assistant District Attorney. Other previous positions Christie has held include legislative assistant for Congressman James P. McGovern and legislative aide for State Representative Robert Spellane.
Christie is a graduate of American University and received her Juris Doctor from Suffolk University Law School. She is a member of the Massachusetts Bar Association. In 2007, Christie was a recipient of the Massachusetts District Attorney Association’s Spotlight Award, and in 2014, she was honored with Worcester Business Journal’s 40 Under Forty award. Christie has served on the YWCA’s Board of Directors for over ten years and is currently its Board President.
She also sits on the Boards of the New England Council and the Massachusetts Association of Health Plans. Christie lives in Shrewsbury, MA with her husband, Paul Belsito and their daughter, Isabelle.
Elizabeth Condron '00, Panelist
Elizabeth Condron graduated from Notre Dame Academy in 2000 and went on to receive her BA in Criminal Justice from Saint Anselm College. After graduation, Elizabeth began work as a Victim Witness Advocate for the Worcester County District Attorney’s Office. Currently, Elizabeth works at Pine Street Inn as the Senior Director of Donor Engagement.
During her 14 years working at Pine Street Inn she has held positions in corporate relations, volunteer management, emergency shelter operations and presently in fundraising. Elizabeth has received many community awards, and her most recent are the Saint Anselm College, Alumni Justice Award and Trial Court of Massachusetts, Diane Halprin Award for Service.
Elizabeth currently resides in Worcester with her partner of 15 years and six year old son.
Julie Lian McDonald '89, Panelist
Julie is a graduate of Notre Dame Academy, Syracuse University, and resides in Paxton, MA.
Born and raised in the Worcester area, Julie always had a heart for helping others in the community and an awareness for those less fortunate. As a volunteer in several local schools with 90% low income population, Julie witnessed the lack of access many of these young children had to food when they left the school building, so she decided to channel her passion into a tangible solution. Julie founded the Juniper Outreach Foundation, a non-profit organization whose mission is to build food pantries in local schools where the need is the greatest.
Juniper Outreach currently operates 6 school pantries in the city of Worcester, which allow students direct access to food to bring home for the nights and weekends. Beyond her role as the founder, she has worked to create partnerships with local businesses, government agencies, and other non-profit organizations, fostering a collaborative spirit that amplified the impact of their efforts.
Paula Robert Bushey ' 82, Panelist
Upon graduating from NDA, Paula attended Stonehill College, graduating with a BS in Business Administration in 1986. She has worked in the insurance field as an underwriter at Health Plans, Inc. and Allmerica Financial. While raising her children, Paula became a volunteer at her
church, Blessed Sacrament. During this time she played an active role in many church led activities such as a singer in the choir, teacher of religious education, member of the Parish Council and eucharistic minister.
It was at Blessed Sacrament where she first became involved with the Church’s ministry to the Mustard Seed Catholic Worker, a home and soup kitchen dedicated to helping the homeless and hungry, located on Piedmont Street in Worcester. At this time, she was facilitating the meals that Blessed Sacrament was preparing for the Mustard Seed. Over time, her involvement grew, and she was asked to join the board. Subsequently, she took on the role of Treasurer which she continues today, in addition to her weekly volunteering. The Mustard Seed has changed the trajectory of her life and enhanced her life as a Catholic.
Paula also volunteers at UMASS UMass Memorial Medical Center helping individuals (like herself and her family members) with living donor transplants, by assisting them with the process of navigating a search for a kidney. She additionally maintains the rotary at Newton Square, (a project she has enjoyed for the last 7 years) and enjoys working with a group from Blessed Sacrament, Trinity Lutheran, and the organization of Ascentria, to assist a family who has recently arrived from Afghanistan with enrolling in school, receiving medical treatment, and adjusting to life in America.
Danielle Perron Sikonski ’04, Panelist
After graduating from NDA, Danielle attended Assumption College where she received a degree in Human Services. She then began working as a Fundraising and Events Manager at Why Me/Sherry’s House, a local non-profit organization that provides support services to families who have a child with cancer.
Still at Why Me, Danielle now serves as the organization’s Director of Family Services. In this position her responsibilities include meeting with families upon their child‘s diagnosis, coordinating support services and hospital outreach, and facilitating various support groups for families.
Over the years Danielle has served as a Love in Action supervisor for many NDA students. Additionally, she has come back to campus several times to share the important role Love in Action and Notre Dame Academy has played in her career.
Danielle received an NDA Young Alumna Award in 2012. Worcester Magazine named her a Hometown Hero for her work at Why Me and in 2016 she was a recipient of the Worcester Rotary Club's Service Above Self Award. Danielle and her husband, Michael, have three young children William, Clara, and Lucy.