Hanrahan has 25 years experience in the field of mission advancement and fundraising. She will provide guidance and leadership to the continuing efforts to make Mercy accessible to all families, upgrade its facilities and support the educational program.

Hanrahan, who holds a master's degree in public administration, believes that Mercy High School can be an integral part of our civic community, according to a press release. She has expertise in marketing as well as student recruitment. In addition to her professional skills, Hanrahan brings a lived experience of the Mercy mission having served in a Mercy school for seven years. In the consultative process which preceded the school's search, five major skills were identified as important in Mercy's next president: commitment to the Mercy mission, warmth, fundraising abilities, marketing and communication skills and educational experience. It was the unanimous opinion of the Search Committee that Hanrahan fulfilled all five.  

While Hanrahan will formally begin her duties in July, she will join the school community for the Making a Difference dinner in April and will come for a month of transitional time in June.