Leading by Example

St. Joseph’s honors six high-achieving alumni at third annual Esse Non Videri Gala

Mrs. Harney’s passion for real estate was ignited during her summers in the picturesque Litchfield Hills of Connecticut, where she fell in love with the region’s natural beauty, historic homes and vibrant community. Inspired by this deep connection, she had a vision of creating a boutique real estate firm that delivered exceptional results through personalized service.

Beyond her stellar career in real estate, she and her husband co-founded Harney & Sons Fine Teas in 1983, a company their sons now manage.

“You have to be able to work harder, go the extra mile, take disappointment with grace, and truly you have to want the good for the other — and they have to know that,” Mrs. Harney said. “St. Joseph’s gave me the example for that kind of leadership.”

Her impressive journey includes serving as the chief diversity and inclusion officer for Suffolk County government, where she spearheaded diversity and inclusion initiatives. Across her two decades of experience in the private sector — including Fortune 500 executive leadership roles — Ms. Fernandez has consistently excelled in customer service, technology strategy and relationship management.

Embracing a life dedicated to personal growth, community betterment and positive change, Ms. Fernandez has received numerous citations and advisory roles in various organizations across New York state. She actively contributes to community service, youth development and advocacy in leadership positions at such groups as Jack & Jill of America, Inc., Suffolk County Chapter; the National Coalition of 100 Black Women, Suffolk County Chapter; and the Eastern Shore (New York) Chapter of the Links, Inc.

An academic achiever, she obtained a bachelor’s degree in organizational management from St. Joseph’s University, earning Summa Cum Laude honors. She’s also a Chopra Center certified meditation instructor, firmly believing in the power of meditation to foster love and compassion, and drive social change. She resides in Babylon with her husband of 16 years and their teenage son.

“I attended St.Joseph’s as an adult, as a working mother of a preschooler, trying to climb the corporate ladder,” she said. “And going through college — managing all of the things that I had to manage — helped me to build resilience muscle. And I believe that resilience is a characteristic of great leaders.”

Before helming the Alliance, Mr. Harris served 23 years with the New York City Police Department, climbing the ranks from patrolman to inspector. By the time he retired from the force, he was in command of three precincts in Brooklyn.

“Impacting the community has always been important to me,” he said. “St. Joseph’s gave me a second and third chance to succeed. They gave me the benefit of the doubt, and I’ve always tried to give others the benefit of the doubt. They also taught me perseverance and stick-to-itiveness.”

Mr. Harris earned a bachelor’s degree in social sciences from St. Joseph’s. He is also a distinguished alumnus of the CORO Neighborhood Leadership Program. He extends his passion for the city by serving on the Board of Trustees for Broadway Cares/Equity Fights Aids, the Board of Directors for NYC & Company, and the Board of Directors for the Broadway Association.

She continued to take on diverse assignments, including gang unit, narcotics, county-wide crime and detective squads, while climbing the ranks within the suburban police force. Now a deputy inspector with the police department, she also serves as deputy commanding officer of Nassau’s Sixth Precinct.

As a proud mother of three children, Ms. Rhatigan has demonstrated her ability to balance her personal and professional life. Additionally, she has continued her pursuit of knowledge, earning a master’s in criminal justice management in 2008 and currently pursuing a doctorate in homeland security.

Adding to her impressive achievements, Ms. Rhatigan in 2020 participated in the exclusive police executive training program at the FBI National Academy.

“Impacting the community is very important to me, because if you’re not a part of the solution, you’re a part of the problem,” she said. “Everybody should be immersing themselves in the community and making sure that there’s fairness and equality for everyone.”

Ms. Gulli Elliot passionately represents survivors of sexual abuse and discrimination, driven by the goal of holding both institutions and individuals accountable for their actions. Her time as a prosecutor at the Suffolk County District Attorney’s Office, where she handled complex cases ranging from domestic violence to sexual misconduct, armed her with the skills and determination to make a difference in the lives of people in need, she said.

She has become a fierce advocate for survivors of childhood sexual assault, child pornography, campus sexual abuse, and other forms of abuse. It was during her time at St. Joseph’s University — where she earned a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice with cum laude honors — that Ms. Gulli Elliot’s path began to take shape. Her internship at a domestic violence agency and her work as a court advocate for L.I. Against Domestic Violence opened her eyes to the power of advocacy and sparked her journey toward law school.

The transformative education and mentorship she received at St. Joseph’s played a pivotal role in guiding her toward her current mission, she said.

“What fuels me in this field are my clients. Giving them a voice and advocating for them, and helping them seek justice and be able to gain closure for everything that they’ve been through,” Ms. Gulli Elliot said. “St. Joseph’s motto, ‘To be, not to seem,’ has motivated me personally throughout my life, as well as during my career.”

Furthermore, he has embarked on a teaching career, serving as the barbering career technical education teacher at Wyandanch High School. He said his time at SJNY paved the way for his multifaceted success, and he remains immensely grateful for the opportunities it provided.

“When you open a business, the first thing you have to be is a leader. You have to be that person who takes charge — to be someone who’s able to motivate people around you,” said Mr. Harnig of Riverhead.

“St. Joe’s is such a great environment, and it really taught me how to communicate with other people. Being a barber, it’s really a lot about communication, making connections with people. It’s really how you get people in your chair.”