IND’s Dr. Mary Funke Selected as One of Maryland’s 2014 Top 100 Women

BALTIMORE - Feb. 26, 2014 - PRLog -- The Institute of Notre Dame (IND), the oldest Catholic girls high school in Baltimore and the first founded in the U.S. by the School Sisters of Notre Dame, announced today that President Mary L. Funke Ed.D. has been honored as one of the 2014 Maryland Top 100 Women by “The Daily Record.”

According to “The Daily Record,” the award recognizes “outstanding achievement by women demonstrated through professional accomplishments, community leadership and mentoring.” Dr. Funke was selected from among 370 entrants by an independent panel of judges consisting of business professionals and past Maryland’s Top 100 Women winners. She will receive the award on Monday, May 5 at the Joseph Meyerhoff Symphony Hall.

About Dr. Funke

Dr. Funke serves as IND’s fourth President, having assumed the position July, 2011. Under her leadership, IND has embarked on an ambitious strategic planning effort, strengthened its curriculum, amplified its fundraising outreach and engaged in significant community partnerships. Given her deep experience and commitment to women’s causes, Dr. Funke created the President’s Dinner to raise money for financial aid to ensure that IND remains a place where young girls have access to an excellent education, regardless of their economic situations.

Prior to IND, Dr. Funke served as President of N Street Village for seven years, a nonprofit providing empowerment and recovery for homeless and low-income women. N Street Village assists women in achieving stable housing, income, employment, mental health, physical health and addiction recovery. Under her leadership, N Street Village was honored to receive:

-The “Washington Post” Excellence in Nonprofit Management Award—the first organization ever awarded on its first application.

-The EXCEL (Excellence in Chief Executive Leadership) Award for demonstrating excellence in leadership in the Washington D.C. nonprofit community.

-NAMI Heroes in the Fight Award sponsored by the National Alliance for the Mentally Ill and Mental Health America, which “acknowledges and celebrates the heroes who help consumers and their families fight against severe and persistent mental illness.”

-Logan Circle Community Improvement Award, “in honor of the staff and volunteers who give their time, support, guidance and hope to those in need.”

At the American Chemical Society in D.C. in charge of special programs, Dr. Funke led a cross-functional team to research and recommend diversity initiatives. She developed the member society’s first comprehensive employment and career website for job seekers and employers. At Catholic Charities in Baltimore, she led transitional services and a staff of 85, managing 10 programs across six site locations serving the homeless. Dr. Funke standardized the protocols and increased the funding from individuals, foundations and government sources.

At the College of Notre Dame of Maryland, Dr. Funke served as Dean of Students for eight years. She increased student offerings and developed new programs such as International Host Family Program, Black Student Mentoring Program, Wellness Day and Multicultural Awareness Week. She also coordinated the construction and program design of a $3.5 million sports and activities complex as well as resident hall and office renovations.

Dr. Funke earned a doctorate degree in higher education administration from Indiana University, IN; a master’s of science in counseling and student personnel services from Shippensburg State University, PA; and a bachelor’s of science in elementary education from St. Francis University, PA.

About the Institute of Notre Dame

The Institute of Notre Dame is the first college preparatory school established by the School Sisters of Notre Dame in the U.S. and the oldest Catholic girls high school in Baltimore. The IND learning experience combines rigorous liberal arts and progressive minded course work, assisted by individual computer technology. Students develop global competencies beyond the classroom through IND’s diversity, urban campus, tablet program and community service programs. The IND legacy of success is unrivaled, reaching back 167 years and boasting a 100 percent college acceptance rate. Connect with IND at www.INDofMD.org and on Facebook and Twitter @IND1847.