Assumption Alumnae Spotlights

Assumption celebrates our alumnae for their career and professional achievements, outstanding community service, and so much more! We are excited to dedicate this page to the accomplishments of our graduates who are making a difference in their communities.

If you are or know an alum that you would like to celebrate, please use this form to submit the information. Submissions will be reviewed for content, and if we have any additional questions we will reach out to you for more information. New profiles will be posted monthly!

To read more about each alumna, please click the “+” circle to expand information.

Katherine Blanford ’09

Katherine is an up and coming comedian, based in Atlanta, who is currently touring around the United States. She has opened for many comics including David Spade, Jeff Foxworthy, and Ron White. Most notably, Katherine made her TV Debut on The Tonight Show with Jimmy Fallon in August 2022, and was performed again on the Tonight Show in March of 2024. She has had several sold out crowds in Louisville in 2022 and 2023, and will be taping her own comedy special in Houston, TX in March 2024.

Mary Varga ’77

Mary received the Courage in Faith Award at the 2024 Louisville Catholic Sports Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony in January for her successes as an author, certified personal trainer, entrepreneur, and board member of the Brain Injury Alliance. She endured a traumatic brain injury in an auto accident, for which she did 2+ decades of therapy, then continued in her passions and work. She is being recognized due to her determination and dedication to achieve her goals, no matter the circumstances.

Emma Rhodes ’17

Emma was selected to serve as a Derby Festival Princess for the 2024 festival. She is one of five women selected from nearly 100 applicants representing different universities from around Kentucky for the Royal Court. Criteria for selection include knowledge of the Kentucky Derby Festival, poise, intelligence, personality, and campus and community involvement. Emma has the opportunity to be crowned as Derby Festival Queen in April at the annual Fillies Derby Ball. She is in the second year of the Master’s Program at Bellarmine University focusing on Elementary Education.

Katherine Receveur Watercutter ’14

Katherine was listed on the Forbes 30 Under 30 Retail & Ecommerce North America 2024 list! This list recognizes people who are reinventing how we shop, on and offline. Katherine is the CEO of Gold Hinge, a women’s athleisure clothing made with buttery-soft, heavy material. Katherine started Gold Hinge in 2018 because when she was an athlete in college, she struggled with looking put-together while juggling a busy schedule of classes and practices.

Joanna Englert ’08

Joanna received the 2024 Emerging Artist Award for poetry from the Kentucky Arts Council! The Emerging Artist Award is a competitive program that seeks to provide public recognition and acknowledgement of early-career Kentucky artists demonstrating excellence in their chosen field. Joanna, formerly a member of our AHS Advancement Department, works as the Senior Marketing and Publicity Director at Sarabande Books.

Caroline Cappy ’11

Caroline received the “Who Will Tell the Story?” Medal at Assumption’s 2023 Mercy Day Celebration! This award is established by the Sisters of Mercy to recognize alumnae of Mercy schools who go on to live lives of Mercy in creative and impactful ways. Caroline spoke about the positive impact she made on orphanages in Ukraine with art sessions and her continued work since returning to the United States.. Click here to read more.

Alyssa Cavanaugh ’14

Alyssa has been inducted posthumously into the Conference USA 2023 Hall of Fame. As a member of the Western Kentucky University volleyball team, Alyssa received multiple accolades including being named the 2018 Conference USA Female Athlete of the Year, AVCA third team All American – the first in program history, and a four time All American. At Assumption, Alyssa was a four-time state champion and high-school All-American. More info, read here.

Julie Janes Torzewski ’99

Julie received Today’s Woman’s Most Admired Woman in Community & Sisterhood! This annual award is voted on by the Kentuckiana community and given to honor women who are admired for their professional work, service in the community, and extracurricular ventures. Julie is the Executive Director of Down Syndrome of Louisville, as well as the President of Down Syndrome Affiliates in Action, which supports local Down Syndrome Associates across the country.  

Taylor Long ’12

Taylor was listed on the Forbes 30 Under 30 inaugural local Atlanta list! This list recognizes young people who are reshaping the worlds of tech, finance, entertainment, and more in Atlanta. Taylor’s business, Nomads, creates destination-inspired, size-inclusive, sustainable swim and vacation wear. She founded the company in 2019, and her swimwear is being carried in stores such as Anthropologie and Shopbop. Taylor is also a curve model, and has worked for brands that include Byrdie, Bustle, Kohls, and InStyle Magazine. 

Lena Muldoon ’13

Lena received a 2023 Young Professionals Association of Louisville (YPAL) Award. Since 2020, the YPAL recognizes individuals who are connecting, engaging, and developing our local community. Lena is the Executive Director of You Decide, Kentucky!, which is a nonprofit organization and statewide initiative that supports modernizing the Constitution of Kentucky, so that local revenue generation can empower economic growth and community decision-making throughout the Commonwealth. Lena is also a member of our Assumption Alumnae Board of Directors! 

Alisa Oerther Gray ‘04

Alisa was included on Louisville Business First’s (LBF) 2023 40 Under 40 List! The LBF List is a prestigious annual program honoring the region’s up-and-coming young leaders residing in the Greater Louisville/Southern Indiana area. Nominees are chosen by a panel of judges who are past 40 Under 40 honorees. Alisa is the President & CEO of the Kentucky Humane Society, which is the state’s largest pet adoption agency and spay/neuter provider.  

Claudia Coffey ’91

Great Day Live/WHAS-11, Co-Host

Claudia was selected as a 2022 class of Salute Honorees at the Catholic Education Foundation’s Salute to Catholic Schools Alumni Dinner. This honor recognizes individuals whose accomplishments in career, community and life highlight the storied tradition of excellence in Catholic schools in Kentucky.

Michelle Coke Farmer ’94

Michelle was awarded Today’s Woman’s Most Admired Woman in Education at the awards ceremony in June. Michelle works as the Executive Director of Advancement at Assumption High School.

Alexa Glass ’18

Alexa was voted a 2022 Knight of Honor at Bellarmine University during her senior year. Bellarmine Seniors have the opportunity to be nominated and apply for the Knight of Honor Court. Ten students are selected after being nominated by a faculty or staff member, completing an application, and interviewing with Bellarmine Alumni and the Bellarmine Women’s Council. Students on the Court are then voted on by their peers to select two Knight of Honors who were announced and knighted at Bellarmine’s homecoming game!

Emily Davis Bewley ’98

Kentucky Humane Society, Veterinarian

Emily was named as the 2021 Kentucky Veterinarian of the Year. Her work has been recognized throughout the region as the vet who helped bring Ethan the dog back to life at the Kentucky Humane Society. She shared with us her career advice for students, stating, “If you love art, go for it. If you love cooking, go for it. Whatever really sets your heart afire, follow that.”

Lara Dunlevy Krill ’03

St. Gabriel School, Principal

Lara received the Archdiocese of Louisville’s 2022 Distinguished Catholic School Leader Award. This award is given annually and recognized at a special mass during Catholic Schools Week.

Claire Feller ’16

Claire was awarded the “Who the Tell the Story” medal at Assumption’s Thanksgiving Prayer Service. This medal, sponsored by the Sisters of Mercy, is given to a graduate who lives out the Mercy charism today. After graduating from college, Claire did a year of service in Michigan at a free clinic through the Mercy Volunteer Corp.  Now as a student in medical school at the University of Louisville, she seeks to use her knowledge and skills to care for society’s most vulnerable.

Laurie Gunderson Young ’94

Laurie was hired as the University of Louisville’s Director of Industry Partnerships in July 2022. In her role, Laurie will serve as the point of contact for companies looking to engage across the university. She will also work with each of the university’s schools to launch new strategic alliances and business development initiatives. She previously served as Vice President of Business Development for Sotera LLC.

Aimee Jewell ’08

Aimee was selected for Louisville Business First’s 2022 Forty Under 40 program, an annual program honoring the region’s up-and-coming young leaders under the age of 40. Aimee serves as the Engagement Specialist at Leadership Louisville and most recently served on the Assumption Alumnae Board of Directors as Board Chair, completing her eighth year on the Alumnae Board in 2022. Aimee’s leadership and vision was instrumental in creating the Alumnae Board Committee structure which was implemented in July 2020.

Leah Lanceta Dozer ’98

Leah was featured in Louisville Business First’s 20 People to Know in Banking article. Leah is a Mortgage Loan Originator at Independence Bank in Louisville and proud supporter of Assumption as she participates each year in our Alumnae Career Day for students. Click here to read the article.

Lisa Lauder ’85

St. Gabriel School Teacher

Lisa received the 2022 Father Joseph McGee Award as the outstanding Catholic school educator in the Archdiocese of Louisville. This award is given annually at the Catholic Education Foundation’s Salute to Catholic School Alumni Dinner which raises funds for families, parishes and schools.

Melanie McCoy ’95

Melanie was selected for Leadership Louisville Center’s Class of 2023, the 44th class of the Center’s nationally recognized program for established community leaders. The program deepens members’ connection to the community and the capacity to make a difference. Melanie is an Attorney at Frost Brown Todd, LLC and serves as the Team Leader for the firm’s Estates, Trusts, and Wills team.

Leah Mullen ’09

Leah was named the Principal of Sacred Heart Model School in Louisville, KY in August 2022. Leah credits her years at St. Raphael Elementary, Assumption High School, and the University of Dayton for instilling her deep respect of a Catholic education. She is grateful for the community of Assumption’s support and knows she will employ the lessons learned as a Rocket in her new job. Leah previously served as the Assistant Principal at Sacred Heart Model School.

Lizzy Neutz ’17

Miss Kentucky USA

On March 26, 2022, Lizzy Neutz was crowned Miss Kentucky USA by Elle Smith, Miss USA 2021. Lizzy is a real estate investor, actress, and model.

Sydney O’Bryan Anthony ’00

Sydney was awarded Today’s Woman’s Most Admired Woman in Hospitality at the awards ceremony in June. Sydney works as the Director of Event Sales for Live Nation, including events at the Louisville Palace, Mercury Ballroom, and Bogart’s.

Paula Pabón Smith ’87

Paula was featured in the Hispanic Executive Magazine for her work as Senior Counsel for Governmental Affairs for the Kentucky Farm Bureau Mutual Insurance Company. Her position has been focused on reforming insurance laws to mitigate various forms of fraud. Read the article here.

Karri Rensel Gerdemann ‘87

Karri was selected for Leadership Louisville Center’s Class of 2023 in July 2022. This program deepens members’ connection to the community and the capacity to make a difference. This is the 44th class of the Center’s nationally recognized program for established community leaders. Karri is the Executive Director at Pillar, formerly known as Apple Patch Community, Inc., that works to support children and adults with intellectual disabilities.

Sarah Rhodes ’19

Northern Kentucky University, Nursing Student

Sarah was selected to serve as a Derby Festival Princess for this year’s festival. She is one of five women selected from nearly 80 applicants representing different universities from around Kentucky for the Royal Court. Criteria for selection include knowledge of the Kentucky Derby Festival, poise, intelligence, personality, and campus and community involvement. Sarah has the opportunity to be crowned as Derby Festival Queen in April at the annual Fillies Derby Ball.

Christine Ridenour Lindsey ’90

Christine competed in the U.S. Women’s Senior Open against the best senior women golfers at NCR Country Club in Dayton in August 2022. As youngest of the competitors, it was Christine’s first time playing in the senior open. Christine golfed in college at Stetson University but continued to play as an assistant pro at both Shawnee and Seneca golf courses. Christine has been in real estate for the last 15 years but did win the Kentucky Open 20 years ago. Additionally, WDRB News interviewed Christine about the tournament, click here to read the article.

Caroline Roberts Heine ’81

Caroline was selected for Leadership Louisville Center’s Class of 2023 in July 2022. This program deepens members’ connection to the community and the capacity to make a difference. This is the 44th class of the Center’s nationally recognized program for established community leaders. Caroline is the Chief Advancement Officer at Spalding University, a Louisville-based Catholic, non-profit college. In this role, Caroline works to deepen alumni engagement, develop community partnerships, and increase general philanthropic support for the university.

Madelyn Steurer ’16

University of Notre Dame, Student

Madelyn participated and won the first ever Miss Indiana Volunteer pageant in Fall 2021. She is active in “I Am That Girl” non-profit and is currently pursuing a Masters of French & Francophone Studies with a minor in Screen Cultures at the University of Notre Dame. Madelyn will participate in the Miss America Volunteer pageant in May 2022.

Jessica Tretter ’01

Jessica was selected for Louisville Business First’s 2022 Forty Under 40 program. This is an annual program honoring the region’s up-and-coming young leaders under the age of 40. Jessica is a Certified Financial Planner and owner of Tretter Financial Planning, LLC. This year, Louisville Business First received nearly 600 nominees for this program.

Karen Udoh ’14

University of Louisville, Medical Student

Karen was named as a recipient of the 2022 Kelsie Small Future Healer Award for exemplifying excellence, caring, compassion and commitment to education. Karen is currently a student at the University of Louisville School of Medicine.

Laura Wallitsch Durbin ’01

Books for Babes, Founder & St. Agnes School, Learning Coordinator K-5

Laura founded Books for Babes, a non-profit that provides books and early learning materials to newborn babies and their caregivers at Louisville healthcare facilities. Books for Babes started in Spring 2020 and has distributed over 1,000 books to area families. Learn more about Books for Babes: https://www.booksforbabesky.org/

Dr. Karen Wicke Shadle ’01

Karen was selected for Leadership Louisville Center’s Class of 2023, the 44th class of the Center’s nationally recognized program for established community leaders. The program deepens connection to the community and the capacity to make a difference. Karen is the Director of the Archdiocese of Louisville’s Worship Office, whose mission is to promote and enrich the liturgical life of the Archdiocese in a spirit of collaboration with parish leadership by providing liturgical direction, formation, and resources.

Skylar Wood ’20

Skylar was hired to be the Assistant Coach for the Indiana Tech Men’s Volleyball team.