Our Development Advisory Board

The purpose of the Development Advisory Board is to assist the Congregation of the Sisters of Saint Dominic in their efforts to gain the public interest and the voluntary financial support necessary for continuing their mission and ministries among the people of God.

The Development Advisory Board consists of Sisters and lay women and men who assist in these efforts.

Sister Luella Ramm, OP

As Treasurer / Vicaress, Sister is responsible for the administrative function of the Community that includes its nine sponsored works, sound and prudent financial decision making to ensure the Sisters will continue their mission to praise, to bless and to preach, and ultimately planning for the future of the community.

In her role Sister is committed to living the Caldwell Dominican vision statement: 

“We will reclaim our passion for contemplation, and use this as our lens through which we make decisions, live our lives, minister, and perceive our world.”

Sister Bertrand Austin, OP

Sr. Bertrand currently serves as Assistant to the Treasurer for the Franciscan Sisters of Peace in Valley Cottage, New York.  A member of the Sisters of St. Dominic for sixty years, Sister has served in a variety of ministries. 

Sister attributes her strong faith formation to her parents and to the Dominican Friars who ministered at her home parish, Sacred Heart Church, Jersey City, NJ.  “Study and prayer were encouraged and modeled, making my call to a Dominican lifestyle a clear choice… I consider my Board membership as a continuum of service that will support both our mission and our ministries.”

Sister Deborah Lynch, OP

Currently serving as a Counselor in the Student Development Center at Caldwell College Sister Deborah works with students focusing in particular on substance abuse and awareness issues the students encounter. 

Sister shares, “Our Sisters have a love of education, and while Matthew 25 calls us to act from a social concerns point of view, it is through education that change will ultimately be achieved.  How to keep this ministry of education going?  The primary way is through fundraising and development.”

Dr. Marie Varley

As Regional Director – Northeast Region of Church World Services, Dr. Varley serves in full-time ministry addressing issues of poverty, hunger and human rights right here – as well as in our global neighborhood.  A former Caldwell Dominican Sister, and alumna of Saint Dominic Academy in Jersey City, Marie maintains strong ties to the Congregation and its various ministries.  

Marie’s simple philosophy is:  “If you believe in something, you support it.”

Dr. Patrick Gallagher

Dr. Patrick serves as Vice President and Academic Dean of Zion Bible College in Haverhill, Massachusetts.  A graduate of St John the Baptist Parochial School, Jersey City, NJ, Dr. Gallagher’s memories of the Sisters of Saint Dominic from three decades ago are warm. 

Pat credits these sisters not only with inspiring a lifelong career in Christian education, but also for “shaping my life in more ways than they could every imagine… I saw respect for humanity and the spirit of servanthood instilled at home, modeled in the lives of my Dominican teachers”.

Christopher Castano

Currently a managing director for Grosvenor Capital Management, formerly with Merrill Lynch and by virtue of his prior years practicing as an attorney, Chris hopes to advance the mission of the Caldwell Dominicans through his involvement with the Development Advisory Board. 

“The Dominican Sisters educated my mother.  I spent much of my youth on the Caldwell campus while she gave back to the order and their schools.  I now have a similar opportunity by serving on the Board.”

Patricia Motisi

As President of OTIS Graphics, Inc. in Lyndhurst, New Jersey, Patricia says she is delighted to serve on the Board of Advisors for the Sisters of Saint Dominic of Caldwell.

“I find this role not only as an expression of my gratitude to the Dominican Sisters for the educational foundation I received from them as an elementary student, but also for the pleasure of working with the Sisters in achieving their worthy objectives.”

Dr. Ginger Grancagnolo

An educator, counselor, and inspirational speaker (including at our own Lumen Center), Dr. Ginger is also a published author. Her lively faith credited to family and Dominican foundation has motivated all her professional choices.  In fact Ginger chose to deepen her association with the Sisters by becoming a lay Dominican Associate. 

“The Dominican charism is essential to the church today.  Real love is God in action through the ministry works of the Sisters, and I hope to be a part of ensuring their mission continues in the 21^st century.”