Alumni

Where did your path take you after you graduated from Saint Philomena? Where did you attend high school and college?

After graduating from St. Phil’s in 2001, I attended Bishop Stang High School in Dartmouth, MA, before heading to Washington, D.C., where I spent nearly 17 years studying politics (George Washington University), earning my law degree (Catholic University of America), and building a career as a lawyer. I was drawn back home to New England in 2022 by a growing conviction that science, technology, and AI would be the most important ways to contribute to society — this time to MIT’s Sloan School of Management, where I earned my MBA in 2025. I now live and work in Cambridge, MA.

Is there a favorite memory, tradition, teacher, or moment from your time at Saint Philomena that still stands out to you today?

Pizza day and those cartons of milk at lunch are indelible moments — and I recall spending a lot of time eating the Swedish Fish candy they had at the school dances. But the moment that stands out most is the 7th grade science fair. I can still remember exactly where I was upon hearing that my project — “What Melts Ice the Fastest?” — had advanced to the state competition. The pride I felt in that moment has stayed with me ever since.

In what ways did your experience at Saint Philomena help shape who you are today?

Personal accountability and integrity. I recall being — rightfully — reprimanded by Mr. Baker after behaving poorly during a school function; as 8th graders, we were expected to set an example for the younger students, and I had fallen short of that. The faculty held us to a high standard, and in doing so, instilled in us a deep sense of integrity — a reminder that our conduct reflects not just on ourselves, but on those around us. That lesson has followed me into every courtroom and every classroom since.

What are you doing now, both professionally and personally?

I live in Cambridge, MA with my senior poodle, Archie. By day, I am a litigator at the U.S. Department of Justice, where I defend the United States government in federal court on regulatory and constitutional issues. I am also leading academic research on AI safety at MIT and Harvard, driven by a belief that safe and ethical AI development is one of the most important challenges of our time. I am also an avid golfer and learning how to oil paint.

Are there any lessons or values from Saint Philomena that you still carry with you in your work or family life?

Respect for the dignity of oneself and our community. Mr. Colletti challenged our class to see the world with empathy, beginning with those living on the margins of our local communities. He encouraged us to recognize the weight of the opportunity we have all been given — and the obligation to others that comes with it. It is a lesson I continue to live by, and one that very much drives my work in paying those opportunities forward today. 

What advice would you offer current Saint Philomena students as they continue their journey?

“Learn to play; play to learn.” I didn’t fully appreciate this until having to relearn math before business school — but what empowered me was the permission to approach hard problems with curiosity, and the patient recognition that every mistake is simply part of the learning process. Psychologist Carol Dweck calls this a “growth mindset” — the belief that our abilities are not fixed. My favorite expression of it: “I don’t know how to do that … yet.”

What is one fun fact about you that people might not know?

I have lived my entire adult life in major cities — Washington, D.C., and now Boston — and have never owned a car!

Where did your path take you after you graduated from Saint Philomena? Where did you attend high school and college?

After Saint Philomena, I attended Bishop Connolly High School in Fall River, Massachusetts, graduating in 2002. From there, I headed to New York City to attend Marymount Manhattan College, where I studied International Relations and Communication.

Is there a favorite memory, tradition, teacher, or moment from your time at Saint Philomena that still stands out to you today?

There are truly too many to mention, but a couple always come to mind. One is simply the beauty of the school grounds. Arriving each day surrounded by the water and all that greenery was magical. The other is Ms. Khoury, who taught French in seventh and eighth grade. She made a huge impression on me, not just through French, but through her own Arabic language and culture as well. I remember a World's Fair field trip where we each pulled a random country to research. I asked if I could switch mine to Afghanistan, and she said, “Allowed!” That small moment opened a door for me. I think she sensed my curiosity about the world and really helped nurture it.

I also loved when they brought in that giant inflatable planetarium, incredible! 

What are you doing now, both professionally and personally?

Professionally, I work in film and TV. Over the years, I've worn many hats as a camera operator, talent assistant, script development executive, writer, and producer. Some highlights include creating a documentary series for Netflix called Fight World, which explores martial arts cultures around the world, producing a documentary called Water Brother, and, most recently, producing a film called Solo Mio that just came out in theaters. I'm lucky to work with people I truly adore, including my brother, who is a film editor – and also a Saint Philomena alum!

Are there any lessons or values from Saint Philomena that you still carry with you in your work or family life?

There was a gentleness to the way we were taught and introduced to the world. The small classes created a real intimacy and community. Spending nine years alongside the same group of kids and their families builds something lasting. That combination of a nurturing environment and close community quietly shapes you in ways that are hard to articulate, but you carry it with you.

What advice would you offer current Saint Philomena students as they continue their journey?

Learn to nurture deep belief in yourself. And always, always, always follow your passion.

What is one fun fact about you that people might not know?

I'm a great whistler. I really love to whistle, and at one point, I even considered competing.

Where did your path take you after you graduated from Saint Philomena? Where did you attend high school?

After graduating from Saint Philomena in the spring of 2023, I enrolled in The Prout School, where I am currently a Junior. I am in the process of researching and touring colleges to apply to in the fall of my Senior year, where I plan to study Statistics and Data Science. I am very involved in activities both within Prout and in my community, and the biggest milestone I have achieved since graduating from St. Phil's has been earning my Girl Scout Gold Award. The Gold Award is the highest award in Girl Scouts, where you choose an issue in your community and work on resolving it, and strive to make your project sustainable beyond your involvement. I partnered with an organization called Case For Smiles and taught Girl Scouts and their parents, students at Prout, and parishioners at my church how to sew colorful pillowcases with fun patterns to give to kids in foster care and children's hospitals to make them feel more comfortable in an environment that isn't their home. In total, I led people in making 135 cases!

Is there a favorite memory, tradition, teacher, or moment from your time at Saint Philomena that still stands out to you today?

One of the most memorable experiences from my time at Saint Philomena was having "Fun Fridays" in Mr. Baker's religion class. We would play exciting games such as Books of the Bible bingo, and it would always make me smile and help me bond with members of my class while we laughed and learned. This has helped me in a variety of ways, such as understanding my faith more deeply, preparing me for high school religion classes, and even helping me get tricky Jeopardy questions correct!

In what ways did your experience at Saint Philomena help shape who you are today?

Saint Philomena has provided me with a variety of opportunities for public speaking so that I can practice this important lifelong skill and become more confident. Through my time at SPS, I was in many plays, attended state competitions for both Science Fair and National History Day, and performed readings at Mass. Through each of these activities, my public speaking skills have grown, and I am beyond grateful for these opportunities.

What are you doing now, both professionally and personally?

At Prout, I created the Caring Cases Club, which helped me bring my work toward my Gold Award to the school. I am also a varsity swimmer, a student leader for the Peer to Peer mental health awareness club, a team alternate for our Academic Decathlon team, a member of Prout Theater, and a full IB diploma student. In the community, I am an active Girl Scout who achieved her Gold Award, swim on a club swim team, and am a senior Altar Server at my church who helps train new altar servers. I formerly worked as a lifeguard and currently work as a swim instructor at Kingfish Swim Academy. Occasionally, I also babysit and cat-sit! This summer, I will also be working as a lifeguard at Camp Hoffman Girl Scout Camp.

Are there any lessons or values from Saint Philomena that you still carry with you in your work or family life?

I always carry the motto of "courage and confidence" with me in my everyday life. It truly applies to everything! Whether I am speaking in front of my school about my club, presenting about my Gold Award to other Girl Scouts, playing a role in a theater production, or swimming in a difficult event, I always remember to have courage and confidence in myself and my abilities, and then I won't fail!

What advice would you offer current Saint Philomena students as they continue their journey?

I would tell current Saint Philomena students to develop the relationships they make with their teachers. The teachers truly cared about me, supported me, and wanted me to succeed in everything that I did (and do!). I enjoy catching up with my former teachers and seeing how they have been. They are always interested in what I have been doing, which is so kind.

What is one fun fact about you that people might not know?

A bowl from Chipotle is my favorite meal!