Christina Petrella Deats '01

Christie Deats, Bishop Kearney alumna and Board member, started her Catholic school education as a kindergartener at St. Lawrence in Greece. Her exceptional scores on the Bishop Kearney entrance exam earned her an academic scholarship.

 

Christie loved to dance from a young age. When the Bishop Kearney spring musical found themselves short of tap dancers for their production of "Crazy For You," Christie was recruited to join the BK musical as an 8th grader. That was the beginning. She went on to dance in the spring musicals while at BK. Christie also played soccer and continued to excel in academics. She was a member of the National Honor Society and Valedictorian of the Class of 2001.

 

With the support and encouragement of the faculty and administration at Bishop Kearney, Christie pursued her education as an undergraduate at Cornell University and later earned her law degree from the University at Buffalo School of Law. She began her career as a litigation attorney at a law firm in New York City. Three years later, she decided to come back home to Rochester.

 

When our own Carm Urzetta heard that she was back in town, he recruited her to the Bishop Kearney Board of Directors. She has been on the Board since 2012 and serves on the Board's Executive Committee as Secretary.

 

Christie lives with her husband, Jason, and their mini goldendoodle, Belle. Christie not only dedicates her time and talents to Bishop Kearney, she is on the board of the American Heart Association-Rochester Chapter and is involved in charitable events through her firm. She has been with Harter Secrest & Emery LLP as a litigator since 2019.

 

Christie has been an invaluable member of the Bishop Kearney Board and we are so fortunate that she is a part of the BK community. Christie commented, “I enjoy working with my fellow Board members and I am proud of the work we are doing for the school.” She said it has been an honor getting to know the other Board members and feels she is lucky to be part of such a determined, committed group; doing great things, supporting each other through the challenges and celebrating the successes.