St. Agnes Academy Alumnae Hall of Fame Inducts New Members
St. Agnes Academy honored five outstanding women during the School’s 19th annual Alumnae Hall of Fame ceremony on January 25. Congratulations to our 2019 St. Agnes Academy Hall of Fame inductees: Dr. Sharon Herbers ’69, Karen Crosby Leone ’75, Dr. Crista Crisler ’82, Courtney Pohlman Ross ’93 and Keri O’Brien. These women have made remarkable contributions to their community and carry out the St. Agnes Academy mission in their daily lives.
The St. Agnes Academy Hall of Fame was established in 2001 on the School’s 150th anniversary. The Hall of Fame honors those exceptional individuals who command respect within their careers, civic, or charitable endeavors, are devoted to the mission of St. Agnes Academy, contribute to the community, and exemplify the standards instilled at St. Agnes Academy.
2019 Hall of Fame
Dr. Sharon Herbers ’69 graduated from St. Louis University with a Bachelor of Arts and earned both a Master of Arts degree and a Doctor of Education degree from the University of Memphis. She is a professor at the University of the Incarnate Word where she has received numerous honors for her work. Sharon received the Sr. Margaret Rose Palmer Award in recognition of her work to promote the mission of Faith, Education, Service, Truth and Innovation. She was award the University Piper Professor Award given for excellence in teaching service. Most recently she was honored with the presentation of the Moody Award recognizing a high level of scholarship, teaching excellence and community service.
For 25 years Karen Leone ‘75 has taught in the Early Childhood Program at St. Agnes Academy-St. Dominic School caring for our littlest Stars and Suns. She earned her Intermediate Catechist Certificate and also teaches religion to our youngest students. Karen is a true supporter of her alma mater, attending theatre productions, sporting events and alumnae gatherings. She has been instrumental in organizing the Class of 1975’s monthly Supper Club. Karen is a second-generation SAA graduate. She and her husband Joe have four children, Nick, Camille ’03, Kristen ’03, and Maggie ’05, and seven grandchildren. Her granddaughter Sadie is in Jr. Kindergarten at SAA.
Dr. Crista Crisler ’82 is an OBGYN at Memphis Obstetrics & Gynecological Association, and she is on staff at Methodist Germantown, Baptist Women’s Hospital and St. Francis Bartlett. Crista is also a member of the teaching faculty at the University of Tennessee Center for the Health Science. She holds professional memberships in the Memphis OBGYN Society as well as the American Medical Association and the Tennessee Medical Association. Crista generously volunteers her time with the Church Health Center providing free women’s healthcare. She is also a member of the Tennessee Parks and Greenways and the Memphis Heritage Society. Crista is a graduate of Rhodes College and the UTHSC College of Medicine. Her son Bren is a 2015 graduate of St. Dominic School.
Courtney Pohlman Ross ’93 is the Chief Economic Development Officer for the Nashville Area Chamber of Commerce where she is charged with the oversight of all economic development activities including business recruitment retention and expansion. Courtney serves on the Association of Chamber of Commerce Executives Board, NAIOP Board, and the Nashville Technology Council Board. She is a graduate of Leadership Nashville. Courtney was named a Top 50 Economic Developer by Consultant Connect and was recently named to the Nashville Business Journal’s 2018 Power 100 Dealmakers. She and her husband Jason have two children, Jake and Ellie.
For over 15 years, Keri O’Brien has worked in the business office at St. Agnes Academy-St. Dominic School. She is currently the Director of Payroll and Accounts Payable, but her service to the school extends far beyond that office. Keri can be found supporting many events on campus including alumnae events, the Gala and the Gingerbread House. She has a given countless hours to the St. Agnes Theatre Department, and thanks in part to her efforts, the theatre department has been awarded two Orpheum High School Musical awards for Best Front of House. Keri also volunteers with the Memphis Italian Festival and with Habitat for Humanity. She and her husband Mike have two daughters who are graduates of St. Agnes Academy, Meghan ’08 and Shannon ’13.
