Our Next President: Vision, Faith, & Purpose

As Central Catholic celebrates 90 years of Raider Excellence as a Marist school, we are excited to announce that Mrs. Jodi Linnehan Kriner has been named the 8th President of Central Catholic, effective November 1, 2025.

Mrs. Linnehan Kriner is the current Director of Strategic Initiatives & Innovation and has served Central Catholic for nearly 30 years in varied roles including teacher, coach, department chair, assistant principal, and technology director. Jodi has deep roots in Lawrence and Central Catholic - all of her children are Raiders - they were each baptized on campus in the Carney Family Chapel, which is named in memory of her mother and uncles.

"I am deeply honored to serve as the next President of Central Catholic High School," notes Mrs. Linnehan Kriner. "Central is more than a school; it is a community I know well and care about deeply. Thank you for your trust and support. I am excited to begin this next chapter together, always keeping our students and our faith at the center of our mission."

"We are excited to welcome Jodi as Central Catholic’s next president and are confident in her vision, leadership, and commitment to advancing our mission, and strategic priorities,” states Lynne Ann (Pilat '86^SM) Chase, Chair of the CCHS Board of Directors. "Her wealth of experience and dedication to excellence make her an exceptional choice to guide us into the future."

"In all the years I have served as the President of Central Catholic, Jodi Linnehan Kriner has been one of my most trusted confidantes," notes current President of CCHS Christopher F. Sullivan ’81. “Her vision and foresight have been instrumental to where we are and continue to go as a school. I am ecstatic to welcome her as our next president, and I cannot wait to see where she takes our alma mater!"

Join us at Raider Homecoming 2025 on Friday, October 3, to congratulate Mrs. Jodi Linnehan Kriner in person.

Announcing Our Next President

• About Our Next President
  • In Her Words
  • A Lifelong Marist Educator
  • A Distinguished Educational Background
  • A Raider Family, Through & Through
  • Lawrence Roots
• The Search Process
• We Are Marist - Words from our Provincial
• The Transition - Thanking Mr. Chris Sullivan '81
• The Future
• We Are Central

About Our Next President

In Her Words

"As I begin my 30th year at Central, I continue to be shaped by the example of exceptionally dedicated faculty and staff and inspired by our students, who bring energy, faith, and purpose to our community every day. I have also witnessed the pride and support of families, alumni, and the greater Lawrence community who share in and strengthen our mission."

"I have been formed by Marist charism, lived through Presence, Simplicity, Family Spirit, Love of Work, and In the Way of Mary. These values define us as a Marist community and inspire our work as educators, leaders and human beings."

"As we look ahead, I am committed to leading with clarity, purpose, and humility, guided by our Marist tradition, strengthened by the relationships and values we share, and always with a future-focused vision for Central Catholic."

 

A Lifelong Marist Educator

Jodi has dedicated her life to being a Marist educator and innovative leader.

In addition to serving as a teacher, coach, and administrator, she has guided transformative efforts in academic excellence, technology infrastructure and mission-centered innovation.

Her leadership has advanced the 1:1 iPad Program and learning environment, built the Innovative Learning Academy for Middle School Students, and strengthened Faculty and Staff Development.

Jodi has continually demonstrated her commitment to preparing students for success in college, career, and life.

Her Evolving Leadership Journey at CCHS

• Business & Technology Teacher | 1996-present
• Department Chair, Business & Technology | 2000–2020
• Director of Technology | 2000–2018
• Assistant Principal, Dean of Academic Technologies | 2018–2021
• Director of Innovation & Academic Technologies | 2022–2024
• Director of Strategic Initiatives & Innovation | 2024–Present
• President of Central Catholic | November 1, 2025

Student Life & Service

• Student Life/Activities & Ministry
  • Moderator, Ski & Snowboard Club (Present)
  • Eucharistic Minister (Present)
  • Adult Leader, Freshman Retreat & Encounter Programs (Present)
  • Freshman Orientation Adult Leader
• Service
  • Volunteer, Lazarus House Ministries (Present)
  • Volunteer, Cor Unum Meal Center (Present)

Raider Athletics

• Distinguished Coach with Raider Athletics
  • Head Coach, Cross Country (1996-2004)
  • MVC Champions, 1999
  • MVC Coach of the Year, 1999
  • Head Coach, Indoor & Outdoor Girls Track & Field (1999-2004)
  • Div. 1 State Champions - Outdoor Track & Field, 2001
  • MVC and Boston Globe Coach of the Year, 2001

Committed to Board, Committee, Institutional, & Marist Leadership

• Current Roles
  • Strategic Planning Committee (4 terms)
  • Leadership Team
    • Has served under the leadership of every CCHS President to date
  • Academic Advisory Committee
  • Staff Recognition Committee
• Prior Roles
  • Technology Committee – Board-level
  • Marketing Committee – Board-level
  • Buildings & Grounds Committee – Board-level
  • Athletic Hall of Fame Committee
  • Garvey/Kilcoyne Awards Committee
• Marist Community Engagement
  • Board Member, Camp Marist (2017-2020)
  • Marist Leadership Institute (2018)

 

A Distinguished Educational Background

Jodi holds an MBA, an MS in Business Education, and graduate certificates in school management, Catholic school leadership, generative AI, and online instructional design.

She is currently pursuing a Doctor of Education from Purdue University Global (expected August 2027) 

Education 

• Doctor of Education (EdD), Expected August 2027
  • Purdue University Global, West Lafayette, IN
• Master of Business Administration (MBA)
  • American College of Education, Indianapolis, IN
• Master of Science in Business Education (MSBE)
  • Southern New Hampshire University, Manchester, NH
• Bachelor of Science in Hospitality Administration and Management (BS)
  • Southern New Hampshire University, Manchester, NH
• Catholic School Leadership Program Graduate Certificate
  • Merrimack College, North Andover, MA
• School Management and Leadership Professional Certificate
  • Harvard Business School and Harvard Graduate School of Education, Cambridge, MA
• Generative AI for Leaders Executive Certificate
  • Boston University, Boston, MA
• Online Instructional Design Graduate Certificate
  • Plymouth State University, Plymouth, NH

 

A Raider Family, Through and Through

The Kriner Family (photo above, left to right)

• Michael Kriner
• Andrew R. Kriner '23 - junior at Boston University
• Catherine R. Kriner '26 - senior at CCHS
• Matthew R. Kriner '24 - sophomore at Boston University
• Jodi Linnehan Kriner
• Daniel P. Kriner '29 - freshman at CCHS

"My family’s connection to Central Catholic is a source of great pride," states Jodi. "The Carney Family Chapel on campus honors my mother, Mary Carney Linnehan, along with my aunt, Joan (Carney) O’Donnell^SM, and my uncles: Dr. Thomas F. Carney '43, Joseph E. Carney Jr. '50, Hugh D. Carney '61, and Daniel J. Carney."

"My kids carry forward the Raider legacy!"

"For me and my husband Mike, the chapel is also deeply personal, as it is where all four of our children were baptized.”

Throwback Photo of the Kriner Kids: Fall 2016

Additional Raider Family

• Uncles - Dr. Thomas F. Carney '43, Joseph E. Carney Jr '50, Hugh J. Carney '61, Edward J. O’Donnell '47 - CCHS alums
• Aunt - Joan (Carney) O’Donnell^SM
• Nephew - J. Owen Sununu '26
• Cousin - John Keefe '26

Committed to Lawrence & the Merrimack Valley

While Jodi plays an active role in her community of Hampton Falls, NH, she remains committed to her roots in Lawrence and the Merrimack Valley.

Her grandfather, Joseph E. Carney, served as an alderman in Lawrence, her mother was born and raised in Lawrence, and her father was born and raised in Haverhill.

Community Engagement – Lawrence, MA

• Volunteer, Lazarus House Ministries (Present)
• Volunteer, Cor Unum Meal Center (Present)

 

The Search Process

When President Chris Sullivan ’81 announced his plans in April 2025 to step down after serving as President of Central Catholic for nearly 10 years, the Board of Directors launched a national search for the next President of Central Catholic High School.

The Search Committee was led by Gisselle (Guerrero) Perez, a 2000 graduate and a member of our Board of Directors.

Thank you to the members of the Search Committee & Interview Team!

• Gisselle (Guerrero '00) Perez, Board Member, Presidential Search Committee, Chair
• Jessica (Boner '92^PMA) Musumarra, CCHS Human Resources Manager
• Lynne Ann (Pilat '86^SM) Chase, CCHS Board, Chair
• Peter Rayno '78, CCHS Board, Past Chair
• Andrew Murray, Principal
• Jessica (Dick '09) Labrie, Faculty Member
• Matthew Joyal '08, Faculty Member
• Jennifer Plouffe, Associate Director of Advancement
• Radhames Nova '93, Board Member, Development Committee Chair
• Bro. Kenneth Hogan, FMS, Board Member, Marist Brother, Former Principal
• Frank Kenneally, President & CEO, Merrimack Valley YMCA
• Administrative support provided by Kate Murray, Assistant to the President

 

We Are Marist 

As Marists, we believe strongly in the importance and power of family; it’s at the very heart of the Central Catholic experience.

So much of what our alumni remember most—the abiding respect for everyone in our community, our commitment to the least favored, the dedication of our faculty, and the unbreakable bonds of friendship, can be traced directly back to the Marist tradition of family spirit.

The Marist Brothers of the Schools is a Roman Catholic congregation of vowed teaching brothers founded by Saint Marcellin Champagnat in France in 1817.

Today, the Marist Brothers are an international religious community of more than 4,000 Catholic Brothers dedicated to making Jesus known and loved through the education of young people, especially those most neglected.

Central Catholic was founded in 1935 by Brother Florentius and the Marist Brothers.

Our identity as Marists and as Catholics informs every aspect of school life.

Words from our Marist Provincial

Brother Dan O'Riordan, FMS
Provincial Superior, Marist Brothers of the Schools

"The Marist Brothers USA Province is excited and grateful to welcome Jodi Linnehan Kriner as Central Catholic’s first female School President. Her vision, enthusiasm and leadership will offer all in the Central Catholic community a great pathway forward as the school celebrates its long 90-year history of outstanding Catholic Marist education. We are confident she will continue to build upon the great legacy of her predecessor, Mr. Chris Sullivan, and help lead Central Catholic for many years into the future. We entrust to her not only the many responsibilities required by her vital position, but in particular to be the school’s leader in carrying forth our Marist Mission and Charism."

The Transition - Thanking Mr. Sullivan

With the announcement of Mrs. Jodi Linnehan Kriner as the 8th President of Central Catholic, Mr. Christopher F. Sullivan '81 is stepping down after serving as President of Central Catholic for nearly 10 years, effective November 1, 2025.

"I want to take a moment to honor Chris Sullivan,” states Lynne Ann (Pilat '86^SM) Chase, Chair of the CCHS Board of Directors.  "His nearly ten years of dedicated service as President have left a lasting mark on our school. His leadership has guided us through seasons of growth and challenge alike, always with steadiness, compassion, and vision. Under his direction, our community has embraced change, remained true to its mission, and emerged stronger at every turn. As Chris steps into his new role as Director of Marist Mission, we are deeply thankful that he will continue to walk alongside us, helping ensure a smooth and successful transition for our next President. The Raider Family is grateful for his leadership and looks forward to seeing him fulfill his new role as Central Catholic's Director of Marist Mission.”

"Chris Sullivan has led Central Catholic with tremendous dedication and a genuine love for the school and the Lawrence community,” remarks Mrs. Linnehan Kriner. "His Marist leadership has positioned us well for continued success and I am grateful and excited to carry that forward as I step into this role."

The Presidents of Central Catholic High School

In 1999, Central Catholic adopted the President-Principal Model of School Leadership & Governance

• 1999-2003: Brother Thomas P. Long, FMS, '73
• 2003-2004: Craig D. Divino '69 *Interim President
• 2004-2005: Brother Richard Van Houten, FMS
• 2005-2009: Brother Rene D. Roy, FMS, '59
• 2009-2013: Brother Thomas P. Long, FMS, '73
• 2013-2016: Brother Richard J. Carey, FMS
• 2016-2025: Christopher F. Sullivan '81
• 2025: Jodi Linnehan Kriner

The Future of Central Catholic: Our Strategic Plan

We look forward to announcing our next strategic plan in the coming weeks.

"As we approach 100 years of excellence,” states Mrs. Linnehan Kriner. "I am honored to lead Central Catholic with a future-focused vision that builds on our proud past."

"Our strategic plan will serve as our roadmap as we prepare for the next century of Raider tradition and innovation."

We Are Central

Welcome home to Central Catholic High School, a forever family of ambitious young men and women who are inspired to improve the world through faith, hard work, and an exceptional commitment to making every moment count.

Here, students of diverse backgrounds and all faiths prep for excellence every day — within themselves, for their communities, and at the world's best colleges.

So much more than a college preparatory high school, Central Catholic is a connected community, a transformative opportunity, a beautiful legacy, and a forever family.

It's where students and teachers alike love coming to school, and where success is what we achieve together.

About Central Catholic High School
A College Preparatory High School of Excellence in the Marist Tradition

Founded by the Marist Brothers in the heart of Lawrence, Massachusetts in 1935, Central Catholic High School enrolls approximately 1,200 students from over 60 communities. Students come from diverse backgrounds to form a caring community of faith, learning, and service. They advance to college in overwhelming numbers (100% admitted each year) and move on to successful careers and positions of leadership in government, business, industry, academia, and professions.