Melinda Skrade comes to SHC from Pope Pius XI High School in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, and has a broad spectrum of educational and leadership experiences at the elementary, secondary and collegiate level as a teacher and administrator. She brings a breadth of knowledge in all aspects of school operations including strategic planning, institutional advancement, alumni relations and enrollment management. Melinda has had a long career at Pius XI first as teacher, then principal and ultimately president when Pius XI moved to the president-principal model. Melinda holds a PhD in Educational Policy and Leadership as well as an MA in American History, both from Marquette University. Melinda has connections to the Bay Area as close family members live here; she has also taught at St. Anselm parish school in Ross.
Gary J. Cannon earned his BA from the University of Notre Dame, his Master of Divinity from the Jesuit School of Theology, and his doctorate at the University of San Francisco’s Catholic Educational Leadership Program. Cannon first joined SHC in 1997 as an instructor of Theology. In 2001, he was appointed assistant principal for student life and subsequently led the development of a strategic plan in technology. He has served as principal since 2011, embracing the challenges and satisfaction of working with the students, faculty, staff and families of SHC.
William D. Rauch, JD (Chair), Miguel Guzman ‘91 (Vice Chair), Kase Abusharkh ‘00, Sr. Adella Armentrout, Kevin Buckley ‘13, Courtney Chin ‘03, Br. V. Kenneth, FSC, Carol Wicklund Enright, Stefan Gartrell ‘02, Francois Hechinger, Dan J. Holland ‘79, Janet Holland ‘77, Monica Kelly ‘06, Thomas P. Mazzucco ‘78, Sr. Frances Meyer, DC, Joey Nevin ‘01, Margaret O’Driscoll, Jeffrey P. Porter ‘72, James Ryan, Jr., Stacie Solt, MD ‘99, Ed Wang ‘90, and Harold Wong ‘77.
Ex-Officio
Melinda Lawlor Skrade, PhD, President; Gary Cannon, EdD, Principal; John Gumina ’91, VP for Advancement and Enrollment; John M. Vigo ’81, Director of Stewardship and Future Giving, Shani M. Mahany, Vice President of Finance & Business Operations.
Inspired by the Daughters of Charity and the De La Salle Christian Brothers, in partnership with families, Sacred Heart Cathedral Preparatory’s mission is to provide the finest education in an inclusive Catholic community of faith. We prepare our students to become service-oriented leaders with a commitment to living the Gospel.
To serve God through creating and deepening our Lasallian Vincentian mission impact through transformative and immersive community learning experiences grounded in our charisms as a leader in Catholic education.
The SHC Plan focuses on three objectives that will continue and advance Sacred Heart Cathedral’s standing as the premiere Lasallian Vincentian Catholic High School. Launched in 2023, the SHC Plan will elevate the school in the following:
Goal: To strengthen community understanding of Sacred Heart Cathedral’s identity as the leading high school in Lasallian Vincentian Catholic education.
Supporting Themes: Advance our Lasallian Vincentian mission through strengthening Catholic enrollment, faith formation and spirituality, retreats, and theology curriculum.
Outcome: Deepening our mission impact and value through the lived SHC experience and presence in the greater community.
Goal: To align and maximize SHC programs, especially in Academics, Arts and Athletics, by investing in high-performing leadership development to provide transformative and immersive learning experiences grounded in our charisms.
Supporting Themes: Define visions of excellence for each department and program, develop benchmarks to assess and create action plans while investing in professional and program development.
Outcome: Distinguish SHC as an iconic presence in the City and Bay Area.
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Goal: To adopt a three to five-year Stewardship & Institutional Sustainability Plan that outlines needed outcomes and ensures the advancement of the mission of Sacred Heart Cathedral.
Supporting Themes: Create a visionary financial plan to increase fundraising and endowments, continue to attract and retain high-performing faculty and staff, and promote engagement among alumni and the greater SHC community.
Outcome: The SHC Plan empowers Sacred Heart Cathedral to sustain itself for the long term in support of the mission and vision.
Independent High School serving San Mateo, Marin, San Francisco, and Alameda Counties.
