The Good Fountain Alumnae Blog

From a Brainstorm to the Blue Chair: Where Fontbonne Stories Come Full Circle

Thu, 22 Oct 2026 12:59:23 GMT

From a Brainstorm to the Blue Chair: Where Fontbonne Stories Come Full Circle

Some ideas are simply too special to stay ideas.

When the school year ends, the planning begins. In the world of Advancement, the work is never truly done, and that is exactly how we love it.

Behind every event, every initiative, and every new tradition is a brainstorm. A conversation. A simple question: What if?

And sometimes, those conversations turn into something much bigger than anyone imagined.

The Blue Chair Series was born from one of those moments. We wanted to create something that brought a piece of the old Fontbonne Academy into the Fontbonne of today. Something that celebrated our alumnae, connected generations of women, and reminded our students that the Fontbonne experience doesn't end at graduation.

Our Director of Alumnae & Parent Engagement, a proud member of the Class of 2008, kept coming back to one thing during those brainstorming sessions: storytelling.

She missed the stories. The traditions. The laughter that comes from remembering something only another Fontbonne girl would understand.

Because there is something about Fontbonne that is almost impossible to put into words.

It's the feeling you get when you walk through the doors years after graduation. The familiar faces. The memories that come rushing back. The friendships that somehow pick up exactly where they left off.

It's a feeling that stays with you long after you've walked across the stage and received your diploma. And we wanted to bring that feeling back. Not just for our alumnae, but for the young women sitting in our classrooms today.

And just like that, the Blue Chair Series was born. On October 21, 2026, we proudly brought that vision to life as we welcomed Ashley (Blake) Scribi ’06 back to Fontbonne as our inaugural Blue Chair speaker.

Ashley, who has built a career in luxury travel and content creation after beginning her professional journey in finance, was the perfect person to launch this series.

But it wasn't her career accomplishments that made the afternoon so memorable.

It was her story.

Within the first few sentences, Ashley's eyes filled with tears.

"I loved Fontbonne."

"You girls are so lucky. These were the best years of my life."

And then, almost in the same breath, she shared something that made her story even more meaningful.

"I didn't want to go to Fontbonne."

There it was. The full-circle moment.

The young girl who once didn't want to attend Fontbonne was now sitting in a blue chair, nearly two decades after graduation, telling a room full of students just how much this place had shaped her life.

As Ashley reflected on her journey, one thing became abundantly clear: Fontbonne is woven into the fabric of who she is.

The friendships. The confidence. The resilience. The courage to take chances, ask for what you want, and believe in yourself even when the answer is no.

Ashley spoke about the unexpected turns life can take. How the path you imagine for yourself isn't always the path you follow. How failure can become opportunity, and how sometimes the greatest things happen when you're brave enough to bet on yourself.

She reminded our students that success isn't a straight line and that the strength to navigate life's twists and turns often begins long before we realize it.

For Ashley, so much of that foundation was built right here at Fontbonne.

And for those of us listening, it was a reminder of exactly why we created this series.

Because these are the stories worth telling.

The Blue Chair Series isn't simply about inviting accomplished alumnae back to campus to talk about their careers.

It's about the moments in between.

The stories of who they were before they became who they are today.

The teachers who believed in them. The friendships that carried them. The lessons they didn't realize they were learning until years later.

It's about giving our current students the opportunity to see themselves in the women who came before them.

And it's about reminding our alumnae that no matter how far life takes them, there will always be a place for them at Fontbonne.

What started as a brainstorm is quickly becoming something much more meaningful.

A movement of storytelling, sisterhood, nostalgia, and connection.

One blue chair. One alumna. One story at a time. And perhaps the most beautiful part? Every woman who sits in that chair brings a different story, but somehow, they all lead back to the same place. Fontbonne.

Next Up: Alumna and Author Carlene Marie — November 3

On Tuesday, November 3, we are thrilled to welcome alumna and author Carlene Marie to the Blue Chair for the very first stop on her book tour!

Carlene is the author of Enough Already: Release Self-Doubt, Reclaim Your Worth, Remember Your Light, a powerful book that encourages women to break free from self-doubt, rediscover their confidence, and recognize the worth they have always carried within them.

Discover Carlene's book, Enough Already, on Amazon!

From the stories that shaped her at Fontbonne to the journey that led her to become an author, Carlene will bring another inspiring perspective to our growing series.

Her visit is another opportunity to celebrate the incredible women who make up our alumnae community and remind our students that their own stories are still being written.

Because that's the beauty of Fontbonne.

Every graduate has a story. Every story has the power to inspire. And every time an alumna comes home, a little piece of Fontbonne's history comes alive again.

The chair may be blue, but the stories are pure Fontbonne.

Introducing The Blue Chair Series

Mon, 05 Oct 2026 13:01:49 GMT

Introducing The Blue Chair Series

On October 21 , Fontbonne is excited to launch a brand-new alumnae initiative: The Blue Chair Series , featuring our inaugural speaker, Ashley (Blake) Scribi ’06 !

The Blue Chair Series will bring inspiring Fontbonne alumnae back to campus to take a seat in our Blue Chair and share the stories behind their personal and professional journeys. Through candid conversations with our students and Adult Learning Community, alumnae will offer a firsthand look at the many different paths a Fontbonne education can lead to.

For our very first Blue Chair conversation, we are thrilled to welcome back Ashley (Blake) Scribi ’06 , whose career has taken her from the world of finance to becoming an entrepreneur, luxury travel advisor, content creator, and social media influencer .

After graduating from Fontbonne, Ashley began her professional career in finance with a major grocery retailer. Outside of work, however, she was developing a passion for travel and sharing her experiences online. As her social media following continued to grow, Ashley saw an opportunity to turn something she loved into something more.

She took a leap of faith—and built a career of her own.

Today, Ashley works as a luxury travel advisor, content creator, and social media influencer , helping clients plan unforgettable vacations while partnering with leading travel and lifestyle brands to create engaging digital content. Her work has taken her around the globe, but her heart remains in New England, where she loves sharing the beauty, charm, and experiences of the region she proudly calls home.

With more than 22,000 Instagram followers and a verified social media presence , Ashley has built an engaged online community and a career centered around travel, creativity, connection, and entrepreneurship.

Anyone who knew Ashley during her Fontbonne years may not be surprised by where her journey has taken her. A former cheerleader known for her outgoing personality, school spirit, and infectious enthusiasm, Ashley was connecting with people long before “social media influencer” was a career path.

Now a proud Fontbonne alumna, entrepreneur, influencer, and mom of two, Ashley’s story is an especially exciting one to share with today’s students. Her journey demonstrates how careers continue to evolve—and how a personal passion, combined with hard work and a willingness to take a chance, can become a profession.

The Blue Chair Series is about sharing stories just like Ashley’s. Our students consistently tell us how much they value hearing from alumnae, while our alumnae often share how meaningful it is to return to campus and connect with today’s students. This series brings those two worlds together, strengthening the Fontbonne sisterhood across generations— one story and one Blue Chair at a time.

We can’t wait to welcome Ashley back to Fontbonne on October 21 to share her journey, talk about building a career and presence on social media, answer students’ questions, and inspire the next generation of Fontbonne women to pursue opportunities they may not have even imagined yet.

Who Should Take the Blue Chair Next?

The Blue Chair is just getting started! We’re looking for Fontbonne alumnae representing different industries, experiences, career paths, and stories to share with our students.

If you—or an alumna you know—has a story that belongs in the Blue Chair, please contact Maura Dudas at mdudas@fontbonneboston.org .

We’d love to hear your story.

From The Desk of Chief Advancement Officer, Maureen Ridings

Fri, 25 Sep 2026 18:21:16 GMT

From The Desk of Chief Advancement Officer, Maureen Ridings

This fall, students returned to Fontbonne to find refreshed spaces, updated classrooms, and enhanced technology designed to support the way they learn, connect, and grow.

Among the most noticeable updates is our newly refreshed foyer—one of the most recognizable and welcoming spaces at Fontbonne. Throughout the school, students are also experiencing brighter learning environments, new furnishings, and technology that brings new opportunities into the classroom.

At first glance, these improvements may look like new furniture, refreshed spaces, and upgraded technology. But they represent something much bigger: an investment in our students.

The Fund for Fontbonne at Work

These improvements are examples of the Fund for Fontbonne at work .

Gifts to the Fund for Fontbonne provide the flexibility to respond to the evolving needs of our school and make thoughtful investments where they matter most. Donor support allows us to enhance the everyday Fontbonne experience while creating spaces where our girls can learn, collaborate, explore, and thrive.

Every refreshed classroom, new piece of technology, and welcoming space contributes to an environment designed to help our students become confident, capable women of courage.

This is what your generosity makes possible.

To everyone who supports the Fund for Fontbonne: thank you. Your generosity can be seen and felt throughout our school, and most importantly, in the experiences and opportunities available to our students every day.

Together, we are continuing to create an exceptional Fontbonne experience for every girl, every day.

Invest in her today. Invest in her future.

Give to the Fund for Fontbonne: https://www.fontbonneboston.org/Giving

Double The Impact: Does Your Employer Match Your Gift to Fontbonne?

Tue, 22 Sep 2026 19:49:17 GMT

Double Your Impact: Does Your Employer Match Your Gift to Fontbonne?

What if your gift to Fontbonne could go twice as far—without costing you another dollar?

Many employers offer matching gift programs , an employee benefit that can match or even double charitable donations made by their employees. It may be tucked away in the fine print of your employee handbook—or it may be a benefit you didn’t even know you had!

By taking just a few minutes to see if your employer matches charitable gifts, your generous donation to your alma mater could have an even greater impact on today’s Fontbonne students.

Carolyn (Ryan) Doctoroff ’97 has taken advantage of her employer, State Street’s, matching gift program to increase the impact of her support for Fontbonne.

Carolyn says there are three important reasons alumnae should check whether their employers offer matching gifts: it increases your gift, it’s easy, and it’s an employee benefit—just like health care or a gym membership—so take advantage of it!

As Carolyn shared:

“Company matching gifts are a great way to enhance your contribution’s impact. It takes only a few minutes, and Fontbonne students will directly benefit from the increased gift. Many companies view matching gifts as an important employee benefit, so be sure to take full advantage.”

Could You Be Leaving a Matching Gift on the Table?

It really can be that simple.

You make a gift to Fontbonne.
You check whether your employer participates in a matching gift program.
You submit the required information.

Your company may match your generosity—and Fontbonne receives even more support.

Your gift of $50 could become $100. A $250 gift could become $500. A $1,000 gift could potentially become $2,000—all because you took a few extra minutes to check an employee benefit available to you.

Fontbonne has made it easy through our Double the Donation page. Simply search for your employer to see whether your company offers a matching gift program and learn how to submit your request.

You may already have this benefit and not even know it.

You’ve already made the decision to support Fontbonne. Now, see if your employer can help your gift go even further.

Because when your gift is matched, your impact on Fontbonne students is multiplied, too.

First Stop: Boston!

Thu, 10 Sep 2026 00:59:39 GMT

First Stop: Boston!

Have you ever seen those Southern New Hampshire University commercials with the big bus traveling from state to state, delivering diplomas and spreading that you can do anything spirit? Well, picture that—minus the bus. Ha!

Fontbonne is hitting the road, and our first stop is right in our own backyard: Boston!

On October 28, 2026, we’ll host our first Fontbonne on the Road Alumnae Reception at Boston Harbor Distillery . And yes, it’s a woman-owned distillery—because whenever we can infuse an event with a little girl-power, boss energy, you know we’re going to do it!

The purpose of Fontbonne on the Road is simple: connect our alumnae, create opportunities for networking, and bring the sisterhood together.

Something we often forget as alumnae is that we already have this incredible, built-in network of amazing women. It’s an exclusive club you don’t have to do anything extra to join. You graduated from Fontbonne. That’s it. You’re in.

People spend their entire lives looking for a place to belong—for connection, relationships, and that feeling of being part of something bigger. The beautiful thing about being a Fontbonne alumna is that you may not have to look very far to find exactly that.

Alumnae from across the Boston area will have the opportunity to gather, reconnect with old friends, meet new ones, network, and hear exciting updates from Head of School Maura Spignesi.

Fontbonne’s mission has always called us to gracious hospitality, and now it’s time to take that hospitality beyond campus and bring it directly to our alumnae.

Boston is only the beginning. More Fontbonne on the Road stops are planned for the months ahead, and we can’t wait to bring the Fontbonne sisterhood to communities near and far.

Ready to join us? Click here to register , grab an alumna friend, and help us spread the word!

I’ve often said, “All roads lead to Fontbonne.”

Now it’s time to put that saying to the test. First stop: Boston.

God Love a Duck: The Story Behind a Fontbonne Saying

Fri, 04 Sep 2026 23:43:32 GMT

God Love a Duck:

The Story Behind a Fontbonne Saying

While going through old Fontbonne yearbooks—something we find ourselves doing quite often—I stumbled upon a photo that immediately caught my attention.

It showed the back of a woman’s shirt with the words:

“God Love a Duck.”

It made me laugh. At first, I thought, Did they forget the “s” in loves? But after reading it a few more times, I knew two things: First, Fontbonne girls don’t make mistakes (speaking from experience, of course!), and second, in true Fontbonne fashion, there had to be a story behind it.

The saying stuck with me.

I loved it so much that I decided to have a fun “God Love a Duck” hat made. Maybe it would raise an eyebrow or spark a question from someone passing by—and give me the perfect opportunity to tell them about Fontbonne, our history, and, of course, our beloved duck.

Then one day, our Wellness teacher, Keri McPhillips, stopped me in the hallway.

“I know the woman who coined that saying!”

My response was immediate: “YOU DO?!”

She did.

The woman behind “God Love a Duck” is none other than Loraine Sumner , who taught physical education at Fontbonne in the 1970s. At the time, Loraine was the only lay teacher working alongside a faculty of Sisters—and she came before another legendary name in Fontbonne athletics, Ellen Sullivan.

Suddenly, a funny phrase in an old yearbook had a name, a face, and a story.

So, naturally, we had to find Loraine.

With a little research, we learned that she spends time at the Milton Council on Aging—which, in another wonderful Fontbonne connection, is led by Christine Stanton ’86, Director of the Milton Council on Aging.

Chief Advancement Officer Maureen Ridings and I headed over with the original yearbook photo and a special surprise: Loraine’s very own “God Love a Duck” hat.

There, in a side room surrounded by friends and in the middle of a game of mahjong, sat 90-year-old Loraine.

When we showed her the photograph and the hat, her reaction was priceless. She was thrilled—and perhaps just as amazed as we were—that this little piece of Fontbonne history had resurfaced all these years later.

Then she told us how the saying began.

Loraine hated hearing curse words. So, when the girls needed a more appropriate way to express themselves, she encouraged them to replace those words with: “God love a duck!” And apparently, it stuck.

Decades later, the saying was still there in a Fontbonne yearbook, just waiting for someone to ask: What’s the story behind this?

It was a wonderful reminder that every Fontbonne photograph, tradition, saying, and memory has a story. When you take the time to dig a little deeper, you never know where it might lead—or which incredible Fontbonne woman you might meet along the way.

Our history is all around us. Sometimes, you just have to look for it.

God love a duck, and God love Loraine!

Thank you, Loraine, for sharing this wonderful piece of Fontbonne history with us and for your service to generations of Fontbonne girls. We’re so glad this little piece of your legacy found its way back to you.

And now, you can carry on a little piece of that Fontbonne history, too! Limited-edition “God Love a Duck” hats are available in the Fontbonne Duck Shop . Grab yours while they last—and when someone inevitably asks what it means, you’ll have a pretty great Fontbonne story to tell.

Class of ’08 Rallies Around One of Their Own

Mon, 31 Aug 2026 15:32:30 GMT

Fontbonne's Class of '08

Rallies Around One of Their Own

In June 2026, Emily (Baker) Quinn '08 received the devastating news that her nearly five-year-old daughter, Lily, had been diagnosed with leukemia.

Emily is currently on leave from her career to care for Lily as she undergoes treatment at Boston Children’s Hospital and the Jimmy Fund Clinic, with plans to return to work in October. Alongside her husband, Kevin, and their young son, James, the Quinn family is navigating what is expected to be a two-and-a-half-year journey toward healing.

As soon as the Class of 2008 learned of Lily's diagnosis, classmates rallied around the Quinn family, organizing gifts and care packages to bring comfort during this difficult time.

Emily shared her gratitude:

"Thank you all so much for the incredibly thoughtful gift for Lily. We were released from the hospital earlier than expected, so instead of decorating a hospital room, she is now using everything to decorate her little room at home, and she is absolutely loving it. It means so much that you thought of our family after all these years."

Continuing to rally around Lily and the Quinn family, a team is dedicating their Jimmy Fund Walk to Lily, with Emily’s husband, Kevin, joining the team and walking in her honor. Together, they are raising critical funds to support the Jimmy Fund and Dana-Farber Cancer Institute’s lifesaving cancer care and research. If you wish to contribute in honor of Lily, please click here .

Emily's story is a powerful reminder that the Fontbonne sisterhood doesn't end at graduation. When one member of our community needs support, others show up with compassion, generosity, and love.

Please keep Emily, Kevin, James, and especially Lily in your thoughts and prayers as they continue this journey.

Meet Maureen Ridings, Fontbonne’s Chief Advancement Officer

Fri, 14 Aug 2026 23:32:06 GMT

Meet Our Chief Advancement Officer

At the heart of Fontbonne is a community built on relationships, shared purpose, and a deep belief in the power of educating and empowering young women. For Maureen Ridings, Chief Advancement Officer at Fontbonne , those connections are what make her work so meaningful.

Now celebrating her first year at Fontbonne, Maureen shares what drew her to the school, what she loves most about Advancement, her excitement for Fontbonne’s future—and a few fun facts about life outside the office.

What is your role at Fontbonne?

I am the Chief Advancement Officer at Fontbonne, where I lead the Advancement team and oversee fundraising, alumnae and parent engagement, donor relations, communications, and strategic advancement initiatives.

How long have you been at Fontbonne?

I have been part of the Fontbonne community for one year, and I feel incredibly fortunate to have grown alongside this special school. Over the past year, I’ve had the opportunity to work with so many generous alumnae, parents, grandparents, friends, faculty, and staff who believe so deeply in Fontbonne.

What inspired you to work at Fontbonne?

From my very first meeting with Maura Spignesi—one of the most mission-driven leaders I know—I was immediately drawn to Fontbonne.

I was inspired by the incredible sense of community, a school that believes so strongly in educating and empowering young women to be leaders, and the opportunity to connect with an extraordinary network of alumnae. I couldn’t wait for the offer letter to arrive!

What do you enjoy most about your job?

The people! My role is all about building relationships and hearing the stories of our alumnae and families. Every conversation reminds me of the profound impact Fontbonne has had on so many lives.

I also love being part of an outstanding team that is passionate, creative, and committed to taking Fontbonne to the next level.

What project or accomplishment are you most proud of?

I’m particularly proud of our ambitious plan to take every aspect of Advancement to the next level of excellence.

We worked hard over the summer months on a strategic plan to prepare Fontbonne for an exciting new chapter of fundraising and engagement initiatives. I’m proud that we are helping shape a remarkable future for Fontbonne and the outstanding alumnae we serve.

What do you hope people know about Advancement that they may not realize?

Advancement is so much more than fundraising. At its heart, it’s about relationships.

We connect alumnae, parents, grandparents, and friends to the mission of Fontbonne and create opportunities for them to make a meaningful impact. Every gift tells a story, and every relationship matters.

What is your favorite Fontbonne tradition or event?

One of my favorite things about Fontbonne is seeing our community come together for events like Reunion and Gala celebrations, Baccalaureate, and Graduation.

There is something meaningful about watching our students celebrate how far they’ve come while surrounded by the people who have supported them along the way.

I also love opportunities to bring our alumnae back to Fontbonne and see the friendships and connections that remain strong long after graduation.

What advice would you give to someone new to Fontbonne?

Get involved! Fontbonne is a place where relationships really matter. Say yes to volunteer opportunities, connect with people, and don’t be afraid to bring your ideas forward. You never know where one conversation or one opportunity might lead.

How have you seen Fontbonne grow or change during your time here?

Fontbonne continues to evolve while staying deeply rooted in its mission and charism. I’ve seen an incredible commitment to innovation, the student experience, and building a strong future for the school.

What is especially exciting is the energy around what comes next. We are not simply preserving Fontbonne’s legacy—we are building on it and imagining what is possible for the next generation.

Outside of Fontbonne

Tell us a little about yourself outside of work.

Outside of work, I love spending time with family and friends. I enjoy spending time on Cape Cod, playing golf with my husband, and walking our two sweet Golden Retrievers, Quinn and Nicklaus—who is named after Jack Nicklaus.

What is a favorite book that has inspired you?

About ten years ago, I attended the Massachusetts Conference for Women and had the opportunity to meet motivational speaker Grace Killelea. I purchased her book, The Confidence Effect, and she signed it with the most beautiful message.

I read it, loved it, and have followed her on social media ever since. She is truly one of the best motivational speakers. This summer, I decided I needed a little dose of her advice, so I pulled her book off the shelf again.

One of Grace’s messages has always stuck with me: sometimes we just need to make the jump and embrace a little fear . She even put that philosophy into practice by literally jumping out of a plane! Watch Grace Killelea: “Making the Jump: A Year of No Fear”

If you could travel anywhere, where would you go?

I would love to travel to Greece. I’m drawn to places with beautiful scenery, great food, rich history, and the opportunity to experience a different culture.

Tell us about Quinn and Nicklaus!

I love pets! We have two Golden Retrievers—Quinn, who is 8, and Nicklaus, who is 5. They are part of the family and bring plenty of personality and probably a little chaos into our lives!

What’s a fun fact most people don’t know about you?

A fun fact about me is that I was born on December 8, the Feast of the Immaculate Conception, so I’ve always considered that a special birthday!

I’m also a proud middle child, a bit of a political junkie, and I love to cook. I’m always happy when people discover there’s more to me than my Advancement hat!

For Maureen, her first year at Fontbonne has been defined by relationships, community, and possibility. As she looks ahead, she is excited about strengthening connections with alumnae, families, and friends while helping Fontbonne build upon its remarkable legacy.

The Good Fountain Alumnae Blog

From a Brainstorm to the Blue Chair: Where Fontbonne Stories Come Full Circle

From a Brainstorm to the Blue Chair: Where Fontbonne Stories Come Full Circle

﻿

Next Up: Alumna and Author Carlene Marie — November 3

Introducing The Blue Chair Series

Introducing The Blue Chair Series

Who Should Take the Blue Chair Next?

From The Desk of Chief Advancement Officer, Maureen Ridings

From The Desk of Chief Advancement Officer, Maureen Ridings

The Fund for Fontbonne at Work ﻿

Double The Impact: Does Your Employer Match Your Gift to Fontbonne?

Double Your Impact: Does Your Employer Match Your Gift to Fontbonne?

First Stop: Boston!

First Stop: Boston!

God Love a Duck: The Story Behind a Fontbonne Saying

God Love a Duck:

﻿ The Story Behind a Fontbonne Saying

Class of ’08 Rallies Around One of Their Own

Fontbonne's Class of '08

Rallies Around One of Their Own

Meet Maureen Ridings, Fontbonne’s Chief Advancement Officer

Meet Our Chief Advancement Officer ﻿

What is your role at Fontbonne?

How long have you been at Fontbonne?

What inspired you to work at Fontbonne?

What do you enjoy most about your job?

What project or accomplishment are you most proud of?

What do you hope people know about Advancement that they may not realize?

What is your favorite Fontbonne tradition or event?

What advice would you give to someone new to Fontbonne?

How have you seen Fontbonne grow or change during your time here?

Outside of Fontbonne

Tell us a little about yourself outside of work.

What is a favorite book that has inspired you?

If you could travel anywhere, where would you go?

Tell us about Quinn and Nicklaus!

What’s a fun fact most people don’t know about you?

The Fund for Fontbonne at Work

The Story Behind a Fontbonne Saying

Meet Our Chief Advancement Officer