Board of Trustees Elects New Members

August 7, 2018 (Notre Dame, Ind.) — The Saint Mary’s College Board of Trustees will welcome four new trustees. The new members include Dr. Donald Fischer, Gregoire Gallant, Alumnae Association Board President Dr. Katie Vincer Spears ’03, and student trustee Meredith Mackowicz ’19. 

“I am pleased to welcome four new members to the Board,” said Mary L. Burke, chair of the Board of Trustees. “They are leaders in medicine, business, and technology who will add a variety of experience and perspective to our Board.”

Dr. Donald Fischer, of Pittsburgh, earned his bachelor’s degree from Notre Dame in 1973, followed by his medical degree from the University of Illinois. He later earned an MBA from the University of Pittsburgh. Dr. Fischer held the position of Professor of Pediatrics at the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, practicing pediatric cardiology; he served as Medical Director at the Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh, and later as Chief Medical Officer at Highmark Blue Cross Blue Shield. He retired in 2016 and is currently an independent health care consultant. He is also President of the Board of Directors on the Greater Pittsburgh Affiliate of the American Heart Association, and serves on the Boards of the Pittsburgh Opera and the Pittsburgh Regional Health Initiative. He is married to Saint Mary's alumna Judge Nora Barry Fischer '73.

Gregoire Gallant, of Indianapolis, is president of DMI’s Digital Transformation Solutions Division, where he leads the division’s overall strategic direction. Prior to acquisition by DMI in 2016, Gregg was founder and CEO of Allegient, known for delivering innovative technology solutions to numerous Fortune 500 clients. Gregg received his bachelor’s degree in finance from Notre Dame in 1990 and his MBA from the University of Notre Dame’s Mendoza School of Business in 1993. Gallant also serves as a member of the Board of Directors at Cathedral High School and the Advisory Council for the Student-Athlete at Notre Dame. He is married to Saint Mary’s alumna Lori Cira Gallant ’86.

Dr. Katie Vincer Sears ’03, of Pickerington, Ohio is the President of the Alumnae Board of Directors for Saint Mary’s. She earned a bachelor’s degree in English literature. Dr. Vincer Sears graduated from The Ohio State University with a Doctor of Dental Surgery degree in 2008. She currently owns two dental practices, Scarlet Dental, in Pickerington and Zanesville, Ohio. She also owns and operates Scarlet Insurance Management and a dental assisting school, Scarlet Dental Assisting. Dr. Vincer Sears is an adjunct professor for The Ohio State University’s College of Dentistry and has been awarded Columbus Business First’s 40 Under 40 in 2017 and American Dental Association’s 10 Under 10 in 2018.

Meredith Mackowicz ’19, of Schererville, Indiana, is a communicative sciences and disorders major with minors in gerontology and early childhood education. Her involvement at the College includes serving as a resident assistant and as a hall director student assistant for the Office of Residence Life. Mackowicz is also president of the College Democrats on campus.

Written by Reilly LaPrairie ’19, media relations intern and communication studies major with a minor in business administration and public relations.

About Saint Mary's College: Celebrating over 175 years of empowering women to make a difference in the world, Saint Mary’s College is recognized as a pioneer and continued force in the education of women. A Catholic, liberal arts institution in Notre Dame, Indiana, the College offers more than 50 undergraduate academic programs and also offers co-educational master’s degrees.