Plenty of experience: Lizanne Magarity-Pando was director of communications for the Central Association of the Miraculous Medal. She also served as director of marketing and communications for the World Meeting of Families. MARIA YOUNG / TIMESÂ PHOTO
Lizanne Magarity-Pando recalls watching from afar as the St. Hubert High School community fought a decision to close the school in 2012.
“It was wonderful to watch the school spirit,” she said.
The St. Hubert family raised a great deal of money to bolster its appeal of the decision by the Archdiocese of Philadelphia. In the end, generous donors came through with millions of dollars to save St. Hubert and four other schools targeted for declining enrollments.
In the four-plus years since receiving the good news, St. Hubert hasn’t stopped marketing itself to girls and their families.
The task had been a little bit harder since last spring, when the school’s president, Frank Farrell, departed to assume the role of director of financial aid for the Office of Catholic Education.
The OCE and the Faith in the Future Foundation took a year to find Farrell’s replacement, Magarity-Pando.
In the April 26 announcement, Christopher Mominey, chief operating officer and secretary for Catholic education, praised Magarity-Pando’s enthusiasm, leadership qualities and deep faith.
The new president liked the folks she met during the interview process, adding that the Holy Spirit guided her to the new position. She’s enjoyed her first month on the job.
“From day one, it’s been fruitful and wonderful and terrific,” she said. “It’s a wonderful opportunity, and everybody has been very welcoming. It’s a terrific group of people. The welcome has just been extraordinary.”
Magarity-Pando, 52, the youngest of eight children, grew up in Wyndmoor and attended Our Mother of Consolation School in Chestnut Hill and Mount St. Joseph Academy, an all-girls school in Flourtown.
“I really enjoyed that piece of my education,” she said.
Magarity-Pando, who has a dual degree in chemistry and business from the University of Delaware, began her professional career selling car phones in 1985. She worked 22 years for her family’s car dealership. More recently, she was director of communications for the Central Association of the Miraculous Medal. She also served as director of marketing and communications for the World Meeting of Families.
“That was an unbelievable, extraordinary experience,” she said. “I learned so much.”
The highlight was getting to meet Pope Francis — twice.
“Who gets to do that?”
Magarity-Pando spent the final three weeks of 2015 liquidating WMOF merchandise and publishing a book titled Pope Francis in America.
Earlier this year, she opened Miraculous Marketing, but that is taking a back seat to her new job.
She and her husband, Jim, met at Delaware and celebrated their 27th wedding anniversary on May 19. They live in Blue Bell with their two daughters, 18-year-old Cyndi, a senior at Lansdale Catholic, and 17-year-old Jenna, a sophomore at Wissahickon. Cyndi will attend Delaware.
After accepting the job at St. Hubert, she started work on April 29, a Friday that began with a faculty retreat and ended with a Bob Pantano Dance Party sponsored by the St. Hubert Alumnae Association at Cannstatter’s.
“When I start a job, I jump right in,” she said.
Magarity-Pando oversees a school of about 650 students.
“They are wonderful girls,” she said. “They are so well mannered and so sweet.”
Principal Joanne Walls had been acting president since Farrell left.
“Joanne has been doing such a wonderful job,” Magarity-Pando said.
The school year will soon be coming to a close. The seniors graduate on June 8 at Holy Family University, with Archbishop Charles Chaput presiding. Luckily for Magarity-Pando, her daughter’s graduation ceremony is the day before.
St. Hubert will be celebrating its 75th anniversary next school year, with the highlight being a Nov. 18 gala at Vie, 600 N. Broad St.
The freshman class looks to be strong next year, and Magarity-Pando gives much of the credit to admissions director Erin McShea.
Looking ahead, Magarity-Pando will be connecting with alumnae; addressing school needs, such as wiring; using her connections to seek donations; pursuing college learning partnerships; and recruiting students.
“My job is to be more out of this office than in it,” she said.
There won’t be much of a summer vacation for the new president, who has plenty of work to keep her busy. She’s fine with that.
“I’m excited, I really am,” she said. “It’s a great school. I love this place.” ••
Showing her school spirit: Lizanne Magarity-Pando was named the new president of St. Hubert High School on April 26. Looking ahead, she said her goals include connecting with alumnae; addressing school needs; using her connections to seek donations; pursuing college learning partnerships; and recruiting students. MARIA YOUNG / TIMESÂ PHOTO
