Mrs. Stephanie DeBartolomeo

Chairperson, School Advisory Board (SAB)

MBA, International Business and Marketing: Leonard N. Stern School of Business, NYU

Stephanie spent more than 20 years at Fortune 500 companies including Pepsico, IBM, CBS, Dr. Pepper Snapple Group & Allied Domecq NA. Her expertise lies in strategic brand marketing & communications, data analysis/insights and innovation. During her corporate tenure, Stephanie received multiple awards including National Marketing Innovation, Marketing Excellence and Marketer of the Year. She was nominated for BrandWeek Magazine’s “Top 40 Marketers Under 40” annual feature. Currently Stephanie is an Adjunct Professor of Business at regional universities, a freelance consultant, and handles digital and print Communications for St. Rose Parish.

Alumni students: Gabrielle Class of 2010, Boston College (2018), Sr. Clinical Trial Scientist, Pharmaceutical industry, Boston; Christina Class of 2012, George Washington University (2020), Consumer Market Research Manager, Boston; Daniel 2018, St. Joseph High School, Trumbull, CT, Senior. 

An active parishioner since 1995 in a multitude of capacities including marketing, fundraising, event planning and “lunch Mom.” Recipient of the St. Augustine Medal of Service, Diocese of Bridgeport.  

I've been fortunate to witness the remarkable intellectual and spiritual impact our school can make on young minds. My children were exceptionally prepared for high school in ways unmatched by their peers. Their faith-based beginnings prepared them for the many moral and ethical dilemmas young adults face today. I am honored to have the opportunity to help guide the school into a future that sustains its academic success and faith embodiment."

Mr. Stephen Piccolo

Chairman, Finance Committee, SAB

Retired Senior VP and Chief Financial Officer, New York Medical College

Parishioner at St. Rose since 2016

"I'm committed to Catholic education, having served as a member of the Board of Advisors of Immaculate High School for more than twenty years and more recently as a member of the Audit Committee of the Foundations in Education of the Diocese of Bridgeport. We have a family commitment to Catholic education with one of my daughters teaching at St. Raphael Academy in Bridgeport. I am proud to be part of the team at St. Rose."

Ms. Dawn M. Handwerker

Chairman, Marketing/Fundraising Committee, SAB

Bachelor of Science in Education and Social Policy - Northwestern University, Evanston, IL

Senior Associate ~ Ruotolo Associates, Inc

Alumni Children - Tony Leonardi (2012); Mark Leonardi (2015)

Parishioner for 18 years

“St. Rose School is a very special place. Both of my sons attended St. Rose from Preschool through 8th grade, which provided them the education and moral foundation to flourish in high school, college and beyond. With my experience in Advancement, Special Event Planning and Fundraising Consulting I am thrilled to become a member of the SAB to provide guidance and help St. Rose School grow successfully into the future.”

Mr. Kevin DeBartolomeo

Facilities Committee, SAB

BA Economics, Villanova

MBA University of New Haven

Director of Business Development, Seaborn Networks

Alumni children: Gabrielle (2010); Christina (2012); and Daniel (2018)

Parishioner for 25 years

"I firmly believe in the mission of St. Rose School which seeks to nurture the moral integrity and intellectual curiosity that is needed in our world today. I've been blessed to witness my own three children who attended the school become faith-filled, academically successful students in higher education."

Mrs. Isabel Corte-Real Almeida

HSA President and school representative, SAB

Isabel Almeida is the President of United Way of Western Connecticut where she has served in positions of increasing responsibility since 2011. Before joining United Way, Isabel held various community affairs and public service roles. Isabel oversaw community affairs at Carrier Corporation in Farmington, CT, and served as Resource Development Director at United Way of New York City. She managed the Political Action Committee for United Technologies Corporation in Washington, DC and worked for the U.S. House of Representatives under Congressman James H. Maloney.

Isabel is an active community volunteer. In addition to her new role as President of the St. Rose Home and School Association and her many volunteer activities at St. Rose School, Isabel is also a Board Member of the Newtown-Sandy Hook Community
Foundation. Isabel also served on the Portuguese Cultural Center’s Sons of Portugal Scholarship Fund Committee for ten years and the Sandy Hook 5K Race Committee for five years.

Isabel holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Political Science from Trinity College in Hartford and studied Nonprofit Management at Baruch College School of Public Affairs in Manhattan.

Isabel and her husband Victor live in Sandy Hook with their two children, who have attended St. Rose of Lima School since Preschool.

Mr. Stephen Pagliaro

Facilities Committee, SAB

B.S. Computer Information Systems, Quinnipiac University

MBA, Loyola College, Maryland

Stephen, his wife Cathy, and their four children have lived in Newtown and been members of St. Rose Parish since 2008. Both Stephen and Cathy were born and raised in the New Haven area, but have lived in Baltimore, MD and Surrey, England for a total of 15 years before returning to CT to settle here in 2008.

Steve has been a stay-at-home Dad for 20 years. Raising his four children, who are all SRS alumni, Antonio (2010), Dominic (2012), Gino (2013) and Maria (2016) across two continents has been the greatest accomplishment in his life. All four children went on to Catholic high schools. The boys graduated from Steve’s alma mater, Notre Dame of West Haven, and Maria graduated from Cathy’s alma mater, Sacred Heart Academy in Hamden. All of the children went on to college.

Prior to taking on the role of “Director of Family Affairs for the Pagliaro Estate”, Steve worked at various companies as a software project manager and software developer in the insurance and loan processing industries.

Mr John Cavallero

Marketing/Fundraising Committee, SAB

BA in Economics, Fairfield University

Board Member Dolan School of Business at Fairfield University

Owner/operator of Orangetheory Fitness Guilford & New Haven

25yrs experience at Nestle, Kraft, Nabisco, Heinz and Citicorp in Sales and Business Strategy

Alumni student: Olivia, Class of 2016

Mr. Jeff McKenzie

Technology Committee, SAB

Bachelor of Arts, Business/Marketing

Vice President, Product Marketing

Alumni children: Parker McKenzie (2015), Peyton McKenzie (2017), and Patrick McKenzie (2019)

St. Rose Parishioner for 11 years

“I have witnessed the positive impact of our St. Rose School community, not only on my family but in every life that we touch. I recognize this does not happen by accident, rather through the hard work and dedication of many. I am happy to be a part of the continued success of St. Rose School and look forward to doing my part.”

Mr. Francisco Middleton

Chair Technology Committee, member of the Finance Committee, SAB

BSEE National Polytechnic Institute/ Retired COO Opel Solar, Inc.

Alumni children: Fran Middleton (1986); Monica Middleton (1993)

Two grandkids in SRS: Ezekiel Lopes, 1st grade Rhys Lopes, Peek A Boo 2’s

St. Rose parishioner for 38 years in total

“Our children are first hand proof of the great education that St. Rose School provides. From my early involvement in the finance and technology roles at St. Rose school, I have actively contributed to the school's advancement, including the building of the first computer lab back in the 80s. When I was recently invited to join the School Advisory Board, I saw a new opportunity to help in the continued growth of the school. With two grandchildren now in St. Rose School, I have an even bigger interest in ensuring the growth and well being of the school.”