Leadership

Our team is committed to providing your student with a nurturing community, personalized support and, of course, an exemplary all-girls, independent Catholic education. 

Head of School Marianne Grace

Marianne Grace 2024

“It is an honor and a privilege to lead Merion Mercy Academy where we take seriously our commitment to empowering students to lead, learn and serve. Grounded in spiritual development and academic and personal excellence, a Merion Mercy education graduates exceptional young women who are prepared to change the world.” 

Our Head of School, Mrs. Marianne Grace, possesses decades of mission-driven leadership experience and an impressive professional background. In addition to being a past Merion Mercy parent (daughter Kelly ‘04), former chair of the Board of Trustees, and previous Director of Operations, Mrs. Grace spent 20 years as Executive Director of Delaware County. In that role, she managed a total budget of approximately $600 million, as well as 50-plus departments and 20 direct reports. Dedicated to her Catholic faith and active in her community, she has served on the boards of Trinity Health Mid-Atlantic Region, Mercy Health System, Mercy Catholic Medical Center, Community YMCA and Holy Child Academy. 

Mrs. Grace holds a bachelor’s degree in History from Temple University, a master’s in Health Education from Saint Joseph’s University, and a master’s in Public Administration from Widener University. 

Assistant Head of School for Academics Philip Vinogradov

Philip Vinogradov with students at Merion Mercy Academy

Before becoming an educator, Philip Vinogradov worked as a wildlife biologist and extreme diver, a time when he cultivated his skill for being “more curious than certain,” an approach that has continually shaped his career. With over 20 years in education Philip has served in public and private schools as a classroom teacher, learning specialist, Google Certified Innovator, Director of Teaching and Learning, Director of Innovation and Strategic Initiatives, and Assistant Head of School for Academics. Committed to continually learning and sharing best practices, he has led workshops on personalized learning, design thinking, and leading change, at ISTE, NSTA, NAIS, and Google in Education Summits. Philip is passionate about unlocking opportunities and removing obstacles to strengthen the partnership between students and teachers to create vibrant learning communities. In a rapidly changing world he is guided by the principle that "we cannot teach students everything, but must prepare them to learn anything.”

Assistant Head of School for Mission Integration Sister Danielle Gagnon, RSM

Sister Danielle Gagnon Merion Mercy Academy

Danielle Gagnon, RSM entered the Sisters of Mercy in 2012 following 12 years of professional experience in non-profit fundraising, mostly in all-girls and all-boys schools. Having grown up in a large extended family in Lowell, Massachusetts, it never seemed likely that Sister Danielle would move four hundred miles away, but when she visited the campus on Montgomery Avenue for her friend’s silver jubilee celebration, the charism of Mercy and the community here in Merion immediately felt like home. Since becoming a Sister of Mercy, Sister Danielle has earned a Master of Arts degree in Christian Spirituality from Fordham University; a Spiritual Guidance Certificate from the Shalem Institute for Spiritual Formation; and a Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Certificate from Cornell University. Sister Danielle serves as a member of the Mercy Neighborhood Ministry Board of Directors and the Augustinian Vocation Advisory Board. When she has a few free moments, Sister Danielle enjoys reading, trail running, seeing a movie, and spending time with friends and family. 

Board of Trustees

We are privileged to have a dedicated Board of Trustees serving the interests of MMA. The Board is involved with advising the Head of School and school administrators in areas such as sustainability, fiduciary responsibility, and institutional planning. 

This esteemed group of leaders includes Sisters of Mercy, alumnae, past parents, and respected members of the community.