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22 BEYOND THE BOOKS "NDA provides much more than an education," says Dr. Merrigan. With its "invisible curriculum," students are educated for life, embarking on their next journey prepared with confidence, compassion, skills and emotional intelligence. The Billiart Leadership Institute (BLI) plays a big role in that development. Girls are taught the components of self-esteem, including confidence, competence and courage. They learn how to listen and be heard and are prepared to have the challenging conversations that arise in everyday life. They are taught how to build, present and showcase their work not only to teachers, but also to senior administrators, peers and their own families -- creating a well-earned sense of pride. For juniors and seniors who strive to be leaders, BLI offers a summer internship where students hone their skills by mentoring younger students as they explore new interests with Summer@NDA programming in academics, STEM, athletics and the arts. Other programs under the BLI umbrella include Explore to Soar, where students partner with alumnae on internships and professional opportunities to explore different careers and gain real-world experience. NDA also hosts its own version of "Ted Talks," called NDA Talks, where alumnae speakers share their professional experiences with the student body. In addition to valuable life and leadership skills, NDA graduates are taught how they can truly make a difference. They explore the "why" of social issues and obstacles that prevent simple solutions. They are challenged to consider the dilemmas suffered by others, especially women around the world, and seek ways to address those hardships. "There's no place like NDA. The sense of community here allows us to look outward together," notes Kenneally. "With the encouragement of others, our students learn to stand up, speak out and make positive change in the world. We call it education with heart -- and it's a truly transformative experience." 1073 Main Street / Hingham / 781.749.5930 ndahingham.com educators. Her mother, Anne Lynch, was chair of the science faculty and taught at NDA for more than three decades. Kenneally had a 30-year career in global finance and consulting before joining the leadership at the Archdiocese of Boston, where she created a financial and strategic consulting team to support Catholic schools and parishes. As President, Kenneally has strengthened the academic offerings of the school, launched the Billiart Leadership Institute, expanded the guidance and college counseling programs, and introduced a new interdisciplinary curriculum for the school's Cuvilly middle school division. Mary O'Brien Merrigan, Ph.D., as Principal is a highly experienced educator who served in the Hull Public Schools as a teacher and administrator for over two decades, most recently as Hull's Director of Curriculum & Assessment for Grades K-12. She has dedicated herself to enhancing the educational experience of students and has a proven track record of establishing and maintaining strong communications with parents and guardians. Her doctoral work in teachers' professional development further ensures her ability to empower NDA's own faculty to adopt cutting-edge instruction and ensure the curriculum is always evolving to meet the needs of the students. Dr. Merrigan is responsible for the daily operation of the school, including all facets of the student educational experience, academic programming, guidance and counseling, student life, campus ministry, co-curriculars, and programming to maintain a superior student experience. She is guided by the principles of service and the social justice practices in the Catholic tradition of the global mission of the SNDdeN. These two women form a uniquely experienced partnership to lead the development of thoughtful and deliberate planning, both academically and fiscally. "We meet the students where they are. You will find the president, principal, and teaching staff getting to know the girls individually and forming a personal connection," says Dr. Merrigan. "For those of us who lead here, that's the joy and fulfillment for us."