Take a look at how a Lasallian education has set these women up for success in all aspects of their lives. From law degrees to environmental conservancies, these alumni are paving the way for future women to come.
Lavascia Williams '16
Lavascia Williams ’16 is the owner of Earthly Essentials, a company focused on creating sustainable and handcrafted products. Earthly Essentials was featured in RI Monthly’s “Best of Rhode Island”. Along with owning her own business, Lavascia is also a substitute teacher at Highlander Charter School in Providence, RI. She is a graduate of the University of Rhode Island. Lavascia has returned to campus to speak with students involved in the La Salle Scholars Program.
Zaryah Guyton '13
Zaryah Guyton ’13 is the Senior Assistant Director for Application Evaluation at Northeastern University. Zaryah’s work focuses on the undergraduate admissions process and reviewing applications. She assists students and families with the application process and also focuses on other enrollment projects for the school.
Zaryah has returned to La Salle since graduating to provide knowledge and advice to parents and students as they are preparing to apply for college.
Rebecca Burgess Mackisey '12
Rebecca Burgess Mackisey ’12 is the Director of Campus Ministry at La Salle Academy. Rebecca served as a campus minister at La Salle Academy before taking on her current roll. She received her Bachelor’s Degree in Theology from Loyola University Maryland and her Master’s Degree in Theology and Ministry from Boston College.
Rebecca has a passion for social justice and leading impactful community service efforts. She works with both students and teachers to build a strong Campus Ministry at the institution.
Marissa Marandola '12
Marissa Marandola ’12 is a Staff Attorney at the National Education Association. She is passionate about serving the community and has taken on pro-bono cases. Prior to entering the professional world, Marissa attended Boston College and Harvard Law School.
Marissa has returned to La Salle to speak about her work in law and speak upon the various opportunities of working in the field.
Stephanie Vendetti Thomas '07 and Adrienne Vendetti Hodges '05
Stephanie Vendetti Thomas ’07 and Adrienne Vendetti Hodges ’05 are the co-founders of How to be a Redhead. As stated on their website “How to be a Redhead® is empowering every redhead to feel confident, to look amazing and to rock their beauty. Red hair is more than a color, it’s a lifestyle!” The company sells a variety of beauty products from mascara to shampoo.
Recently, the sister duo appeared on ABC’s “Shark Tank” and received an offer from Shark, Mark Cuban.
Jessica Almeida '02
Jessica Cirillo Almeida ’02 is the Vice President of the Premier Banking Department at BankNewport. She provides financial services to moderate to high net worth clients and has served in the banking industry for around 20 years. Before joining BankNewport, Jess worked in various positions at Citizens Bank and Admirals Bank.
In the community, Jessica is on the Bristol Warren School Committee where she serves as a member and treasurer. Jessica also regularly returns to La Salle to speak with classes about her experience and she served as a “Shark” for the SharkTank Competition at La Salle Academy.
Jessica Simone '00
Jessica Simone ’00 is a real estate agent and owner of Century 21, The Luxe Property Group. Jessica leads a team of driven and enthusiastic agents who believe in supporting clients when finding a home. Jessica also owns Luxe Lemonade, a lemonade truck that has been seen at La Salle Academy for various events.
Along with contributing to the 40th Anniversary of Women Celebration, Jessica also served as a “Shark” for the Shark Tank Competition at La Salle Academy. Jessica is very passionate about giving back to the community.
Melissa Misiaszek Carvalho '99
Melissa Misiaszek Carvalho ’99 is the Senior Recruitment & Employee Development Lead at Rhode Island Energy. Along with her work at Rhode Island Energy, Melissa is a Holistic Life Purpose & Career Coach at her own company, Melissa Carvalho Life Purpose & Career Coaching and is also a Yoga Teacher. She is also a bestselling author of “Purpose Forward”, which was published in February 2024.
Melissa is actively engaged in the La Salle community and has returned to La Salle to give back to the community. Recently, she served as a panelist for the 40th Anniversary of Women at La Salle Business Panel and has returned to campus to offer yoga classes during Faculty & Staff Appreciation Week.
Tricia O'Hare Jedele JD '91
Tricia O’Hare Jedele ’91 is the Atlantic Coast Offshore Wind Policy Manager at The Nature Conservancy. At The Nature Conservancy, Tricia’s work focuses on coordinating the organization’s offshore wind energy efforts from Maine to North Carolina. Prior to joining The Nature Conservancy, Tricia worked for the Rhode Island Attorney General’s Office in the Environment and Energy Unit.
Tricia has returned to La Salle to speak with students about her professional experience and provide advice to students who are interested in studying law.
Dr. Alyson McGregor '91
Dr. Alyson McGregor ’91 is currently an Associate Dean of Clinical Faculty Affairs and Development and Professor in the Department of Emergency Medicine at The University of South Carolina School of Medicine, Greenville. Along with her current position, she also co-founded the Sex and Gender Women’s Health Collaborative.
Dr. McGregor is very passionate about her work in medicine. She has been featured in a TEDx talk, “Why Medicine Often Has Dangerous Side Effects for Women” and is the author of the book, Sex Matters: How male-Centric Medicine Endangers Women’s Health – and What We Can Do About It.
Sharon Pompei Paquin '89
Sharon Pompei Paquin ’89 P’21 P’25 is the Vice President of Compensation at Clean Harbors. Prior to working at Clean Harbors, Sharon also worked in Compensation at Hasbro and CVS Health. Sharon is a graduate of Rhode Island College, where she studied Business, Management and Human Resources.
Along with this profile, Sharon returned to campus to serve as a panelist for the 40th Anniversary of Women at La Salle Business Panel. During this panel she spoke about her career in business and provided advice to the class of 2025 for those interested in working in this field.