December 2, 2019
Ursuline College has welcomed six new members to its Board of Trustees. They are:
- Sister Laura Bregar, OSU, Congregational Leadership Team member for the Ursuline Sisters of Cleveland
- Jeanne Colleran, PhD, distinguished rule of law fellow at Loyola University Chicago School of Law
- John King, managing partner, KBN Advisors
- Sister Cheryl Mentkowski, OSU, director of mission integration, Beaumont School
- Linda M. Olejko, CFP®, CEPA, business development director, Glenmede
- Sister Gretchen Rodenfels, OSU, past president, Beaumont School
“We are delighted to welcome these distinguished professionals and look forward to their wisdom and counsel in key areas of higher education administration,” said Sister Christine De Vinne, OSU, PhD, president of Ursuline College.
Laura Bregar, OSU
Sister Bregar served as principal of Ascension and Our Lady of the Lake schools, and director of admission at Beaumont School in Cleveland Heights. She now serves on the five-member executive team for the Ursuline Sisters of Cleveland and ministers to the elderly Sisters.
Sister Bregar earned a bachelor’s degree in history and English at Ursuline, a master’s degree in theological studies at University of Dayton, and a master’s degree in educational administration at Ursuline. She holds numerous certifications, including one in mediation training.
Jeanne Colleran, PhD
As a distinguished rule of law fellow, Colleran helps equip legal and development professionals with the knowledge and skills needed to manage efforts to strengthen the rule of law and thereby increase social justice and equity. Prior to her current role, she served as interim vice president of advancement at Loyola. Before that, she served as an administrative leader and faculty member at John Carroll University for 30 years. Her positions there included interim president, provost and academic vice president, and dean of the College of Arts and Sciences.
Colleran earned a bachelor of arts degree in English at John Carroll; a master of arts in literature at Case Western Reserve University; and a PhD in English at The Ohio State University.
John J. King, CPA
King joined KBN Advisors in 1987 and is now managing partner, specializing in services for medical and dental clients including new practice setups, purchase analysis, mergers, and practice sales. He works with clients who own real estate and advises on cost segregation and operational issues, administers retirement plans for many of his clients and does extensive tax planning for high-net-worth individuals.
A 1984 graduate of Cleveland State University, John is a member of the Ohio Society of Certified Public Accountants. He served in the United States Army Reserve in Military Intelligence.
Cheryl Mentkowski, OSU
Sister Mentkowski is director of mission integration at Beaumont School, where her responsibilities include assisting with adult formation for faculty, staff, parents, and members of the Board of Directors; and working with students through Campus Ministry.
She earned a bachelor of arts in political science at Duquesne University and a master of arts in history and political science at Villanova University. Sister Mentkowski served in the Peace Corps for four years and as an analyst for the Navy Finance Center for 11 years. She taught social studies and theology at Beaumont for 33 years, and American government as an adjunct instructor at Ursuline College for five years.
Linda M. Olejko, CFP®, CEPA,
Olejko is a business development director in the Ohio office of the wealth management firm, Glenmede. There, she is responsible for cultivating relationships with endowments, foundations, tax-exempt entities and high-net-worth families. Prior to joining Glenmede, she held business development positions in wealth management at both KeyCorp and Bank One Investment Advisors. She also served as a Division Vice President for American Express Financial Advisors of Cleveland.
Olejko earned a bachelor of science degree in management from Indiana Wesleyan University and is a Certified Financial Planner™. She also holds the Certified Exit Planning Advisor designation.
Gretchen Rodenfels, OSU
Sister Rodenfels started her career as a middle school teacher. She was appointed assistant principal of Saint Mary of the Assumption School in Mentor in 1984 and held positions of increasing responsibility at schools in the Diocese of Cleveland, before retiring in 2017 after 10 years as president of Beaumont School.
Sr. Rodenfels earned a bachelor of science in education at St. John College in Cleveland; a master of education degree at John Carroll, elementary education supervision and administration licensure at John Carroll and secondary education supervision and administration licensure at Ursuline. She is a licensed massage therapist and volunteers in ministry at Hospice of the Western Reserve.
