Christmas Rose 2024
Christmas Rose – A Celebration of Alumni Excellence
Wednesday, December 11 | 6 - 9 p.m. at Holy Family University
The Alumni Association is excited to bring back a beloved Holy Family tradition, Christmas Rose! This year’s reimagined holiday celebration will be a special reception honoring our 2024 Alumni Achievement Award Recipients: Karen Fox ’94, M’08 and Rachel (McClain) Riley ’04.
The event will feature a cocktail style reception with a beer and wine bar, followed by the awards program. Join us to embrace the spirit of the season, honor the cherished legacy of Christmas Rose, and celebrate the successes of our alumni community! Holiday Cocktail Attire is encouraged.
Kindly RSVP by Monday, December 2 – a limited number of tickets are available!
Our 2024 Alumni Achievement Award Recipients
Karen Fox ’94, M’08
Karen Fox is a Senior Leader in Human Resources with over 20 years of experience in leadership and people development. She has a passion for helping professionals find great opportunities and thrive at work. Karen has supported both the private and non-profit sectors in industries such as commercial real estate, finance, healthcare, and education. Currently, she serves as the SVP of Talent Attraction and Engagement at Berkadia, where she leads people-centered initiatives to foster a sense of belonging and purpose in the workplace.
Prior to her tenure at Berkadia, Karen dedicated 22 years to Vanguard, where she retired as Head of University Relations. In this role, she was pivotal in shaping Vanguard's college recruitment programs, fostering relationships with academic institutions, and attracting top-tier talent to the organization.
In addition to her professional achievements, Karen is deeply committed to community engagement and talent development in the Greater Philadelphia region. She served as the Vice President of the Executive Board of Campus Philly for 5 years, an organization dedicated to attracting, engaging, and retaining diverse, emerging talent in the area. Through her work with Campus Philly, Karen has played a significant role in enhancing the region's appeal to young professionals and supporting their career growth.
Karen also has over 10 years of experience teaching at Temple University, specifically in the Fox School of Business. She educates students on professional development strategies to advance their careers and optimize their professional brand.
Karen holds bachelor's and master's degrees from Holy Family University. She is an active member of the President's Advisory Council and a former member of the School of Business Advisory Board and the Alumni Association Board at Holy Family University. Additionally, she served as a board member for Temple University's HRM Employer Advisory Board and a regional Philadelphia association called Talent Acquisition Leadership Alliance (TALA).
Rachel (McClain) Riley ’04 
Rachel Riley is an award-winning multimedia storyteller with more than 20 years of experience from writing, to being in front of and behind the camera for both the news and tourism industries. As the Vice President of Marketing & Communications for the Valley Forge Tourism & Convention Board (VFTCB), Rachel serves as an organizational spokesperson and oversees all marketing, media buys, creative, web, relationships with the press, social media, public relations, arts and culture, government and regional relations, Visitor Services & the Montgomery County Welcome Center at Valley Forge National Historical Park, and Monty the Fox mascot.
In 2024, Rachel was named one of Global 100’s 2024 Women in Leadership. She was also named one of Metro Philadelphia’s Power Women in 2022, was also one of the Philadelphia Business Journal’s 2021 40 Under 40, and a PR News’ Top Women in PR in 2019. In just four years, she was promoted from a manager to a director to senior director to associate vice president, and also earned Honorable Mention for PR News PR People Media Relations Professional of the Year. She is a member of the Public Relations Society of America, and the Philadelphia Public Relations Association.
A survivor of sexual assault, Rachel is also a volunteer certified sexual assault counselor and has worked with the Network of Victim Assistance Bucks County and the United Way, is a member of the Rape Abuse and Incest National Network’s speakers’ bureau, and has been interviewed by Women’s Health Magazine, and appeared on the Montel Williams Show. She serves on the Montco Anti-Hunger Network board, and has also volunteered by providing pro bono PR consultation and support to Victims Services of Montgomery County, Laurel House, and the United Way.
Rachel was born and raised in Northeast Philadelphia. She graduated summa cum laude with a bachelor’s degree in English Literature from Holy Family University in Philadelphia. She’s also a Big Sister match graduate and continued mentor. Her hobbies include photography, reading, writing, volunteering, and singing and dancing in community theater. She lives in Montgomery County with her husband and their two sons, a cat, and a dog.
Additional Information
Christmas Rose Throughout the Decades
Learn More About the Tradition
Directions & Campus Map
Holy Family’s Philadelphia campus is located at 9801 Frankford Avenue, Philadelphia, PA 19114. To view building locations, please view our campus map.
Special Needs/Accessibility Assistance
In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) of 1990, the Campus Center is fully Handicap Accessible, with public-use elevators, handicap parking, and handicap-accessible restrooms. Please indicate your accessibility needs when you register.
Overnight Accommodations
For those traveling from out of town, we recommend the Holiday Inn Express Philadelphia NE–Bensalem at 1329 Bristol Pike, Bensalem PA, 19020. To reserve your room, call the hotel at 215-245-5222 and mention the “Holy Family University Alumni” discount to get your room for only $99!
Questions?
For questions or accommodations, please contact Mary Kay McGettigan, Executive Director for Alumni Engagement and Annual Giving, at mmcgettigan@holyfamily.edu or 267- 341-5017.