Sister Marilyn is the Founder and Executive Director of Mercy Beyond Borders. She is a Sister of Mercy and has been working since 1980 with refugees, migrants & other displaced persons in refugee camps and in domestic resettlement.

Chris recently completed his term as Board Chair for Mercy Beyond Borders. Chris has traveled to MBB programs in Uganda and South Sudan. He has worked at Capital Group Companies since 2011 and currently serves as Vice President and Director Global Insurance. Before Capital Group, Chris worked extensively in risk management and the banking industry.  

Debbie retired in 2000 after a career as an educator and librarian. Following retirement, she engaged with the Refugee Resettlement Program at Catholic Charities and met an intrepid nun, Sr. Marilyn.  Having traveled extensively, including to MBB’s Haiti program site, Debbie has a deep passion for supporting under-resourced children and their families. Debbie currently serves as Board Chair of Children of Vietnam, a program uplifting impoverished children in Vietnam.

Paul is an engineer and 40-year employee of Apple. He serves on the Board of Directors for Catholic Charities of Santa Clara County. He was drawn to Mercy Beyond Borders through his wife Debbie’s passion for supporting refugees. Paul and Debbie love spending time with their two daughters and their families.

Kate spent 20 years working in technology and business development before pursuing a Cordon Bleu certification. This background led to her involvement in fundraising for schools, environmental stewardship, and life sciences. Kate led and supported fundraising initiatives in these areas generating significant revenue. She loves working with MBB to help create lasting impact. She’s also a mother of two. Outside of philanthropic work, Kate’s passions include scuba diving and travel.

Amy is Vice President of Global Learning and Development for AscentPoint Leadership and runs her own consulting company, AG Leadership. Amy has a passion and deep expertise in women’s leadership, including both original research studies on glass ceiling, mentoring, and career advancement as well as 20 years in designing and delivering impactful global programs for both aspiring and seasoned female leaders.

Family is everything to me and love is the gift that keeps us together. I was raised in a close-knit Italian - Sicilian family with two older brothers and one younger. Our parents nurtured us with love and raised us in a home where all were welcomed. I’m a single female business owner with more than 43 years of experience and have spent over 26 years as a teacher in Catholic schools. Teaching was more than a career, it was a call rooted in service, faith and community. I am especially passionate about empowering women and girls through education both locally and globally and I am proud to support initiatives serving communities in Sudan and Haiti through Mercy Beyond Borders. I strive to give without remembering and receive without forgetting while embracing a life of gratitude and love for all God’s people.

For over 14 years, Rocky has been the Managing Director at Beacon Pointe Advisors, an investment advisory firm that takes a comprehensive approach to providing full service financial planning and research driven investments. He was the President of Excelcia Financial Group for 6 years. Rocky loves being a dad and enjoys playing sports and all things car-related!

Kathie has been involved in fundraising for nonprofit organizations for over 25 years, which followed a 28-year career in the business and telecommunication industry. She raised awareness and funds for nonprofits such as the San Francisco Art Institute and, for the last 10 years of her working career, as the Chief Development Officer for Larkin Street Youth Services, an organization that provides wraparound services for young people experiencing homelessness in San Francisco. Since her retirement in 2017, Kathie considers herself exceptionally fortunate to be able to work with Mercy Beyond Borders as a volunteer fundraiser.

Cheryl has a passion for learning and community (in addition to spending time with family!). Among other endeavors, she focuses on expanding access to education and economic opportunity. Alongside her husband, Paul, she co-founded a skilled trades scholarship fund through the Home Builders Association of Southeastern Michigan to support individuals entering the construction workforce, with a commitment to prioritizing women whenever possible. Cheryl and Paul have been honored by the association in recognition of their philanthropic leadership and commitment to strengthening communities.

Paul has spent more than 50 years developing Robertson Brothers Homes construction firm in Bloomfield, Michigan, and currently serves as its chairman. Paul has served on multiple community boards including Urban Land Institute (current), Sacred Heart Rehabilitation Center, St. Joseph Mercy Hospital and Guest House. Paul enjoys playing golf, traveling with his wife Cheryl, and making memories for his grandkids. 

Kathy recently retired from The Capital Group Companies, Inc. where she was Senior Vice President, Senior Counsel for 17 years. Before Capital Group, Kathy was Assistant General Counsel for Dole Food Company, Inc., as well as division general counsel for Dole Fresh Flowers. From 2008 to 2022, Kathy served as a member of the Board of Directors for Children’s Institute Inc., a nonprofit organization working to transform the lives of children exposed to adversity and poverty in Los Angeles.