Catholic Review

Inspiring the Archdiocese of Baltimore

Catholic schools across the Archdiocese of Baltimore welcome new presidents and principals. (CC0)

New leaders ready for 2026-27 academic year


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Catholic Review Filed Under: Feature, Local News, News, Schools

As Catholic schools across the Archdiocese of Baltimore prepare for the 2026-27 academic year, several are welcoming new presidents and principals. The leaders bring a mix of longtime experience, deep ties to their school communities and a shared commitment to Catholic education.

The new leaders shared what they are most excited about and what they hope to accomplish in their new roles.

Presidents

Megan Back
St. Mary’s Schools, Annapolis

What are you most excited about for this school year?
I am most excited about continuing to strengthen the sense of community that makes our school so special. St. Mary’s has been part of my life since I was a student, and it has been a blessing to serve here as a teacher, administrator, principal and now president. I look forward to working alongside our dedicated faculty, staff, families, parish and students as we continue to grow in faith, academic excellence and service.

What do you hope to accomplish in your new position?
My hope is to help preserve what generations of SAINTS have cherished about St. Mary’s while thoughtfully preparing our schools for the future. I want to support our exceptional educators, sustain our robust enrollment and financial sustainability, enhance communication and community engagement and continue building opportunities that allow every student to flourish academically, spiritually and personally. Above all, I hope to serve with humility and keep Christ at the center of every decision we make.

Natalia Mistichelli
The Catholic High School of Baltimore

What are you most excited about for this school year?
I am excited about leading my alma mater, a place that has always held a special place in my heart and working alongside Catholic High’s dedicated and talented faculty and staff. I am eager for the start of the new school year and to see the campus come alive when our students return to campus for the start of the new year!

What do you hope to accomplish in your new position?
As president, I hope to build a stronger, more connected community where every student feels welcomed, valued and heard. I want to lead by example by living out our Franciscan values of reverence, integrity, service, excellence and stewardship. I hope to encourage school spirit, support student ideas and create opportunities for everyone to be involved. I also want to work closely with students, teachers, parents and administration to address concerns and make positive changes that benefit our entire school. My ultimate goal is to make our school stronger and make everyone proud to be part of our community.

Jeremy Joseph
Archbishop Curley High School, Baltimore

What are you most excited about for this school year?
I look forward to continuing the work of the Franciscan Friars, who have established Archbishop Curley High School’s mission and traditions. I am excited to engage members of the Curley Family as well as people in the broader community as we move the school’s mission forward. Together, we will prepare our students to be men of faith, character, discipline and service.

What do you hope to accomplish in your new position?
Our success is measured by how well we live our Catholic Franciscan mission. Through strategic planning and a commitment to our foundational values, we will be able to chart the course for Curley’s future. Archbishop Curley High School has been important to me personally as both a graduate and a father of Curley Men. I want others to experience the fullness of a Curley education like I did.

Principals

Meghann Cannelli
St. Mary’s Elementary School, Annapolis

What are you most excited about for this school year?
I am excited to begin this school year alongside our students, families, faculty and parish community as Principal of St. Mary’s Elementary School. Having served the St. Mary’s community as an instructional assistant, classroom teacher, Assistant Principal and now Principal, it is a privilege to continue building on the strong traditions that make our school so special. I look forward to welcoming everyone back, strengthening relationships and continuing to provide an exceptional Catholic education where every student is known, challenged and supported.

What do you hope to accomplish in your new position?
I hope to build upon the strong foundation already in place by supporting our outstanding faculty, strengthening academic excellence and continuing to create a school environment where students thrive. I want every decision we make to reflect our Catholic mission while ensuring that St. Mary’s continues to be a place where students are challenged academically, grow in their faith and develop the character and confidence to serve others.

Terri Castelli
Immaculate Conception School, Towson

What are you most excited about for this school year?
I’m most excited to become part of this wonderful school community, get to know our students, staff and families, and build the relationships that will make this a successful and memorable year together.

What do you hope to accomplish in your new position?
My goal is to build a strong sense of community where every student feels valued, every staff member feels supported and every family feels like a true partner. Together, I hope to foster a positive school culture that helps every child learn, grow and succeed.

Scott Derosier
The Catholic High School of Baltimore

What are you most excited about for this school year?
I am excited about working closely with our next president, Ms. Natalia Mistichelli, as we help guide Catholic High into its next chapter. I am also excited for the opportunity to continue serving a school community that is so deeply committed to its Franciscan charism, academic excellence and the development of empowered young women of character and purpose.

What do you hope to accomplish in your new position?
I look forward to building upon the strong tradition of academic excellence that has long defined The Catholic High School of Baltimore. A key part of that work is continuing to strengthen and expand academic opportunities for our students while ensuring that every young woman is challenged, supported and prepared for success beyond high school. Catholic High has always been a special place because of its people, and I remain committed to fostering a community where every student feels known, valued and empowered to reach her full potential.

Dominican Sister Anne Dominic Mahowald
Mount De Sales Academy, Catonsville

What are you most excited about for this school year?
I am most excited about getting to know the girls, their families and the faculty and staff. I am also eager to learn more about the deep traditions that are part of Mount de Sales.

What do you hope to accomplish in your new position?
I hope to continue our mission of spreading the joy of the Gospel through the education of young women. In particular, as we prepare to celebrate 175 years, I hope to inspire others to “Proclaim the greatness of the Lord” for all his countless blessings.

Regina O’Hara
Archbishop Spalding High School, Severn

What are you most excited about for this school year?
I am most excited to step into a new vantage point to support and champion this amazing community that I’ve called home for nearly twenty years. I look forward to welcoming our families and teachers back and celebrating all that makes Archbishop Spalding so special.

What do you hope to accomplish in your new position?
My hope and prayer is to continue the positive momentum and growth that our school community has already seen over the last several years. As an alum, former teacher and now principal, my goal is to preserve our community’s core values while leaning into opportunities for spiritual, academic and social growth.

Ken Pipken
Archbishop Curley High School, Baltimore

What are you most excited about for this school year?
I am most excited to be a part of the legacy and tradition that is Archbishop Curley and I look forward to being a part of the next amazing chapter in Curley’s future. As St. Francis said, “Start by doing what’s necessary; then do what’s possible and suddenly you are doing the impossible.” I am also excited to continue the remarkable work that we have been doing within our community.

What do you hope to accomplish in your new position?
In collaboration with our new president, Mr. Jeremy Joseph, and our amazing faculty and staff, I hope to build upon all the accomplishments that we have reached over the last five years. I hope to increase enrollment throughout our innovative programs, gain recognition within the NCEA Catholic School of Distinction Program and become an environmentally friendly Green School. Most importantly I want to continue sharing the mission and vision of St. Francis by forming men bonded together through the traditions and excellence which is Archbishop Curley.

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