Notre Dame Academy may have changed over the years, but one thing always remains the same: the memories and lifelong bonds our alumnae share with NDA and one another.
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This award honors an alumna who has answered the call of Christian service. This is a woman who recognizes and demonstrates use of her God-given gifts of time, talent, or treasure through exemplary gospel service on a local, national, or international scale.
This award recognizes achievement of an exceptional nature in any field or vocation. An alumna’s achievements reflect the excellence and values inherent in the mission of Notre Dame Academy and demonstrate a benefit to the larger community.
For a complete list of NDA Alumnae Hall of Fame inductees, click here.
Lindsay Fork ’97 is NDA’s 2026 Professional Achievement award recipient for building a nationally recognized bridal retail company rooted in purpose, innovation, and heart.
After graduating from Xavier University in 2001 with her degree in Entrepreneurship, Lindsay began her career with a deep belief in service and meaningful experiences – values that were nurtured in her at NDA.
In 2008, she purchased La Jeune Mariee, a bridal shop in Columbus, Ohio, planting the seeds of what would become a multi-brand bridal empire.
Lindsay’s entrepreneurial vision expanded in 2011 with the creation of Luxe Redux Bridal as a solution for liquidating her own boutique’s inventory. Word quickly spread among her industry peers seeking the same support, and Lindsay stepped in, acquiring inventory from retailers across the country and building Luxe Redux as both a brick-and-mortar and ecommerce brand.
By 2024, her innovative approach to accessibility in bridal fashion led to a third brand, the Ohio Bridal Outlet, completing a “good, better, best” retail model and uniting all three brands under Luxe Brands, LLC. Luxe Brands is projected to reach 20 locations with more than 100 employees nationwide in 2026.
Lindsay’s leadership has earned significant recognition, including Columbus’ Smart 50 Award and the prestigious Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year Award. Her brands also continuously earn The Knot’s Best of Weddings and Hall of Fame awards – accomplishments made possible through the service and dedication her team members provide to every bride.
Lindsay and her two sisters – Amber ’00, and Stacy ’04 – credit Notre Dame Academy with shaping the foundation of their faith, confidence, and voice as young women. Her NDA experiences instilled a lasting sense of purpose, leadership, and compassion that continue to guide her life and work today.
Lindsay also serves as a certified Functional Medicine Health Coach and enjoys all areas of wellness and personal development. She is married to Kurt Ruen, and they are the proud parents of Ava (17), Anderson (11), and Barrett (8).
Sr. Marya Czech SND ’63 is NDA’s 2026 Service Leadership award recipient for her lifelong dedication to education, environmental justice and advocacy, and grassroots empowerment.
Early in her ministry, Sr. Marya dedicated herself to academic instruction and also led workshops on critical topics such as the environment, global affairs, and public health. Her approach to education reflected the Notre Dame tradition of making learning a transformative experience that serves the common good.
Sr. Marya also distinguished herself as a leading voice on environmental justice issues. Following the 2014 water crisis – when harmful algal blooms in Lake Erie contaminated drinking water for nearly half a million people in northwest Ohio – Sr. Marya emerged as an educator and advocate, helping the community understand the environmental and human factors behind this public health emergency.
“I encourage individuals to get involved within their own communities, becoming more conscious of environmental issues as justice issues that affect livelihood, public health and well-being of marginalized communities,” she shares. “Clean water, clean air, and healthy soil in which to grow food are not unreasonable goals. Christ's great commission involves all of us, including the least among us.”
Sr. Marya's commitment to social justice is also expressed through her work with Toledo’s Junction Coalition, where she collaborates on grant writing and community coalition-building activities.
The Junction Coalition was formed in response to the 2014 water crisis, and has become a model of community-led transformation built on environmental, social, and economic justice and peace education.
Sr. Marya's grant-writing expertise has been instrumental in helping the Junction Coalition access resources that translate directly into improved quality of life for area residents. Her work affirms that serving marginalized communities requires both compassion and the ability to navigate complex funding systems to build coalitions across diverse stakeholders while remaining grounded in the lived experiences of those being served.
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When you think back to your high school days, was there a teacher who guided you in the direction of the career you pursued? NDA offers you the chance to provide that kind of inspiration – by mentoring an NDA student through the Eagle Network.
Why volunteer as a mentor? Your insights as an NDA alumna are extraordinarily valuable to current students. As a mentor, you’ll share what you have learned with our future leaders. You may even find yourself reflecting on your own career and inspired by your student’s enthusiasm! Mentors are asked to commit to at least two interactions per month with their student for 12 months or more. Please sign up here.
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