Leadership

Natalie Cirigliano Brosnan '02 Ed.D., Head of School

Natalie joined Mercy as Head of School on July 1, 2019. A Burlingame local, she is an alumna and our former Assistant Principal for Student Life. Natalie graduated from UCLA with a degree in Psychobiology, and holds an Ed.D and Master of Arts in Catholic Educational Leadership from the University of San Francisco. After leaving her role in Mercy Administration in 2015, Natalie served as Principal of Holy Name Schoolin San Francisco, where she was the academic and spiritual leader working with the pastor in partnership to increase and encourage the Catholicity within the school and parish community. In 2018 she served as the Chair of the Board of Trustees for Mercy San Francisco and as Co-Interim Head of School in the summer of 2018. Natalie firmly believes in Mercy’s mission, and paying tribute to Catherine McAuley’s vision by infusing the values of the Sisters of Mercy into our curriculum, governance, and culture.

Alex Walton, Assistant Head of School for Academics

Dr. Walton joined Mercy in 2025 as Assistant Head of School for Academics. She brings more than 20 years of experience in education, leadership, and student support, with a focus on fostering inclusive academic excellence rooted in equity and empathy. Dr. Walton has served as a teacher, community school manager, social-emotional learning counselor, and peak performance coach. Most recently, she was the Director of Inclusion & Belonging at Saint Mary’s College High School, where she led school-wide initiatives in academic support, social-emotional learning, and equity. She earned her B.A. in History from UCLA, an M.A. in Sport Psychology from John F. Kennedy University, and a Doctorate in Educational Leadership for Equity & Social Change from Saint Mary’s College of California. A graduate of an all-girls high school and longtime supporter of Mercy’s mission, Dr. Walton is excited to continue empowering young women and will also be introducing Sport Psychology to Mercy students this year.

Jillian Cirigliano Loftus '99, Assistant Head of School for Student Life

Jillian Cirigliano Loftus, Assistant Head of School for Student Life, comes with 20 years of experience in education as an administrator, teacher and student activities coordinator. She received her Bachelors of Science in Human and Child Development from the University of California, Davis, a Multiple Subject Teaching Credential a Masters degree in Educational Administration from Grand Canyon University.