Patricia Flynn, RSM serves as first councilor on the Institute Leadership Team. Sister Patricia Flynn entered the Sisters of Mercy in 1968 in Portland, Maine, serving in teaching ministries at the middle school, high school and college levels. She earned a bachelors in English and history from St. Joseph’s College of Maine, a masters in philosophy from the Catholic University of America, and a PhD in philosophy from Georgetown University. Sister Patricia served on the Portland Regional Community Leadership Team for nine years, and for much of that time also was director of pastoral and education services for the Diocese of Portland, Maine, before returning to teaching at St. Joseph’s College. She was elected to leadership in the former Northeast Community in 2014, and to Institute leadership in 2017.