Organizational Leadership
Sister Linda Yankoski, CSFN, EdD
Chief Executive Officer
Sister Linda Yankoski, a member of the Congregation of the Sisters of the Holy Family of Nazareth, has over 40 years of experience in the executive management of Holy Family Institute and is responsible for its operations, including its subsidiaries, Holy Family Foundation and Nazareth Prep.
Sister Linda graduated summa cum laude, with a bachelor’s degree in social work, from the University of Pittsburgh. She holds a master’s in administration from the University of Notre Dame and a doctorate in education from Duquesne University. Her research interests include nonprofit governance, leadership, and organizational development. Sister Linda is also active in many professional and community organizations outside of Holy Family, serving on the boards of the Sister Thea Bowman Foundation and as an emeritus member of the Duquesne University Board of Trustees and the Mentoring Partnership Board of Trustees.
Michael Sexauer, MBA
President
In July 2021, HFI named Michael Sexauer as its new President, following his role as Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer. Sexauer brings more than 30 years of marketing communications, fundraising, and non-profit management experience and has been at Holy Family Institute since 2015.
An Erie native, Sexauer holds a BS in Communications from Clarion University and an MBA from Wake Forest University. Previously, Sexauer held positions with First Citizens Bank (Raleigh, NC), Phipps Conservatory, PNC and the Pittsburgh Parks Conservancy.
Raymond Betz, MBA
Chief Administrative Officer
Ray joined Holy Family Institute in June 2021. He earned a bachelor’s degree in Chemistry from Slippery Rock University and a Master of Business Administration (MBA) from the University of Pittsburgh. In his 35-year career, Ray has worked at BASF Corporation and Alcoa/Arconic in diverse human resources and business leadership roles in multiple locations throughout the United States.
Luz Blandon
Executive Vice President of Reunification Services
Luz began working with Holy Family in 2014 as a Youth Care Worker. She has a Bachelor of Arts in Business Administration from the University of Bucaramanga, Colombia and is completing her Master of Business Administration at Penn State University. Before coming to the United States in 2014, she worked in Colombia, Ecuador, Tanzania, Kuwait, Guatemala, and Venezuela in international education.
Hailey Juliano, MSN, MHA
Executive Vice President of Residential Compliance and Operations
Susan Neszpaul, MPM
Executive Vice President of Philanthropy
Susan joined Holy Family Institute in the fall of 2021. She brings extensive experience in all areas of development and communications and has held leadership positions in organizations working in conservation, visual and performing arts, and arts education. Susan has a Bachelor of Science in Communications from LaRoche University and a Master of Public Management from Carnegie Mellon University.
Mark Palastro, CPA
Chief Financial Officer
Mark has worked at Holy Family Institute for 12 years as the CFO. Prior to joining Holy Family, he held a number of financial positions including CFO, Director of Finance, Director of Audit and Special Investigation Unit, and Federal Examiner. Mark has a Bachelor of Science/Bachelor of Arts with a major in accounting and is a Certified Public Accountant. Mark is also a board member for a $1.7 billion financial institution.
Dr. Stacy Tweedy, JD, PhD
Executive Vice President of Educational Services, Nazareth Prep
Stacy is entering her fifth year at Holy Family Institute and Nazareth Prep. In past years, she served as coordinator of the Teacher in the Workplace program and as Chief Curriculum Officer. Before coming to Nazareth Prep, Stacy worked in research, teaching, and program management positions in education organizations in Pittsburgh, the District of Columbia, Boston, and St. Louis. She holds a JD and a PhD in World History.
