New Board of Trustee Members Introduced, Trustee Emerita Named
The Gwynedd Mercy University Board of Trustees announced five new members: Mike DeCandido; Mary Pat Garvin ’79 RSM, PhD; Joel Johnson; Regina O'Keefe ’87 CPA; and Chad Punchard ’04.
They began their initial three-year term on July 1, 2025. The Board also elected longtime Trustee and former Board Chair Nancy Dunleavy as Trustee Emerita in recognition of her service to the University.
“It is a privilege to have five distinguished professionals join our Board, each of whom will be instrumental in positioning the University for continued growth,” said Charlotte O. McKines, Chair of GMercyU’s Board of Trustees. “We are incredibly grateful for Nancy’s longstanding commitment to GMercyU and are proud to honor her as Trustee Emerita.”
The GMercyU Board of Trustees is responsible for serving the campus community, stewarding the Catholic and Mercy identity of the institution, and seeking opportunities to share GMercyU with the public. Trustees are also responsible for acting in the best interest of GMercyU and monitoring progress on goals, objectives, priorities, and student learning outcomes.
“This is a pivotal time for Gwynedd Mercy University, and we are fortunate to welcome a dynamic group of Trustees who reflect our commitment to students, faculty, staff, and alumni,” said Deanne H. D’Emilio, JD, President of Gwynedd Mercy University. “Their insights and expertise will enrich our campus community and support our efforts to shape the next generation of compassionate, skilled professionals.”
Gwynedd Mercy University continues to attract a diverse group of leaders to its Board. In 2022, Gwynedd Mercy University’s Board had the third highest percentage of women amongst 29 Philadelphia-area universities and colleges, and was the only institution with a woman of color as Board Chair.
Mike DeCandido
Mike DeCandido is an accomplished executive with more than 30 years of experience leading customer service, operations, and risk management functions at some of the nation’s most recognizable companies. He is currently Chief Operating Officer and Managing Partner of CE3 Solution, a boutique consulting firm specializing in Contact Center, Operations, Risk and Human Resources Consulting. DeCandido has also held senior leadership roles at Citibank, Comcast, and Bank of America, overseeing large-scale contact center operations, risk compliance teams, and learning and development efforts. At Citibank, he led global contact center strategy and Know Your Customer (KYC) operations; at Comcast, he served as Senior Vice President of Contact Center Operations; and at Bank of America, he managed a network of 29 centers and 20,000 employees, leading the integration of Fleet Bank.
A business administration and finance graduate of SUNY Oswego, DeCandido is also the founder and Board Chair of the nonprofit CommonBondz and a Board member for Teach for America Philadelphia. He also previously served on the boards of Gwynedd Mercy Academy High School, the United Way, Urban League, and Junior Achievement, and chaired the Cable Center Customer Experience Council.
Mary Pat Garvin ’79, RSM, PhD
GMercyU alumna Sister Mary Pat Garvin, RSM, PhD, is a globally respected educator, consultant, and facilitator with decades of service to religious communities. She served on the Sisters of Mercy of the Americas Institute Leadership Team from 2011 to 2017, and has taught at all levels of education, including eight years on the psychology faculty at the Gregorian University in Rome, where she earned her doctorate.
Garvin was a co-designer and instructor for the International Union Superiors General program for the preparation of formators and served as an instructor in graduate psychology at Seton Hall University for two decades. She also taught in GMercyU’s graduate education program and currently serves on the national board of the Inter-Congregational Collaborative Novitiate (ICCN). She recently completed service on the national board of the Religious Formation Conference (RFC).
In 2017, Garvin received the Penet Award from the RFC, and in 2025, was honored with the Outstanding Leadership Award from the Leadership Conference of Women Religious.
Joel Johnson
Joel Johnson is Executive Director of the Montgomery County Housing Authority, where he oversees a $100M+ portfolio serving nearly 9,000 residents and leading a staff of more than 40 employees. With over 30 years of experience in the public and private sectors, Johnson is a recognized leader in housing, economic development, and land use policy. Prior to joining the Housing Authority in 2007, he served as Deputy Executive Director of the Redevelopment Authority of Montgomery County, directing major development projects and financial initiatives.
Johnson serves as Chair of several regional organizations, including the HealthSpark Foundation, Housing Alliance of Pennsylvania, and Your Way Home Council, and holds advisory roles with the Federal Home Loan Bank of Pittsburgh, PNC Bank, and the Housing Equality Center of PA. Johnson earned his Master of Planning from the University of Virginia and a Bachelor of Arts in Geography from the University of Delaware.
Regina O'Keefe ’87
Regina O’Keefe, CPA, is a graduate of Gwynedd Mercy University and recipient of the Pennsylvania Institute of Certified Public Accountants (PICPA) Award for Excellence in Accounting Studies. With more than 30 years of experience in public accounting and two years in private industry, O’Keefe has built a wide-ranging practice in tax planning, consulting, and business development.
O’Keefe’s clients have included real estate developers, health care professionals, manufacturers, nonprofits, and hospitality businesses. She also has extensive experience with retirement and employee stock ownership plans. In 2020, O’Keefe was appointed to GMercyU’s President’s Council and was previously featured as a Distinguished Alumna in GMercyU’s Today Magazine. O’Keefe also serves on the Finance Committee of Saint John Vianney Center in Downingtown PA.
Chad Punchard ’04
Chad Punchard is a GMercyU alumnus who earned his Bachelor of Science in Business Administration in Organizational Management. He began his career early after stepping in to lead his family’s business, Comstar Supply, Inc., a national distributor of outside plant materials and tools for broadband construction.
Under his leadership, Comstar Supply, Inc. grew and became known for its employee-first culture. The company was later acquired, allowing Punchard to pursue philanthropic and civic work. He now serves on the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia Cancer Center Board of Visitors and the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia Corporate Council. He also serves as a Board Trustee for the Haverford School and is Chairman of the Grounds and Arboretum for Appleford Estate in Villanova.
Nancy Dunleavy – Trustee Emerita
Nancy Dunleavy served on GMercyU’s Board of Trustees for a total of 17 years from 2005-2020 and 2022-2024, including 10 as Chair where she led the University through several historic achievements, including its University designation in 2013.
Dunleavy is the Founder and CEO of Dunleavy & Associates, a firm dedicated to helping mission-driven organizations build capacity and impact. She is a Standards for Excellence® PA Licensed Consultant and was named one of Philadelphia’s “Top 101 Connectors” by LEADERSHIP Philadelphia and one of the Philadelphia Business Journal’s Women of Distinction.
Prior to founding her firm, Dunleavy spent more than 20 years as a senior financial manager and administrator in the healthcare sector, including 10 years as Chief Financial Officer of Friends Hospital and Behavioral Health System. She remains an active contributor to the nonprofit and business community as a member of The Forum of Executive Women, a founding member of Social Venture Partners Philadelphia, and past director of The Union League of Philadelphia and The Alliance for Women Entrepreneurs.