BSM Alum Begins Tenure as President

Monday, May 15 marked the beginning of Danielle Hermanny’s tenure as president of Benilde-St. Margaret’s. An alum of BSM’s class of 2003, Hermanny is a proud Red Knight and excited to be returning to her alma mater to lead the school into the future.

"Walking in the building on my first day felt like coming home,” Hermanny said. “Every person I spoke with was ready to support me in the transition and help me be successful. Each one of those interactions confirmed for me that I am exactly where I am meant to be, and I'm so ready to serve this community.”

Hermanny comes to BSM from the University of St. Thomas, having also worked at the University of Portland after earning her B.A. degree in English and a minor in Theology from the University of Notre Dame and graduated cum laude from the University of Notre Dame’s Law School.

For BSM’s faculty and staff, having Danielle on campus represents a connection to the past and future of Catholic education. “The Catholic Church is in the middle of the Synodal process and I think that Danilelle's appointment mimic's what that process is all about - listening, dreaming, and then doing,” said Becca Meagher, who taught Hermanny’s theology class, adding, “I am excited to work with Danielle and excited for the students to get to know her. It's always good to have former students come back and join the ranks of Red Knight faculty and staff!”

As the 2022-2023 school year quickly draws to a close, Hermanny is already immersing herself in the daily operations of BSM, participating in meetings with the leadership team, and connecting with students. Her first day concluded with a welcome reception with BSM’s faculty and staff, some who were her teachers. “Danielle was a great student - always outgoing and in an upbeat mood,” said Rosalie Goldberg, Hermanny’s math teacher. “I believe she will make a good president because she has a good temperament. I‘m very happy to have Danielle back with us at BSM.”

Hermanny succeeds Meghan Lind DesLauriers ‘99 who has served as interim president since July 2022. DesLauriers will remain on staff until Friday, June 9 ensuring a smooth transition for Hermanny and the BSM community. She will also lead baccalaureate events and commencement exercises for Benilde-St. Margaret’s 49th graduating class on Friday, June 2, 2023.

Read the announcement of Danielle Hermanny's appointment as president.