Leadership

Joe Haas
President

814.824.2313
jhaas@mpslakers.com

Joe Haas brings nearly 30 years of leadership experience in Catholic and nonprofit social service organizations to the role of president of Mercyhurst Preparatory School.

Since 2008, Haas has served as the chief executive officer of Catholic Charities Counseling and Adoption Services (CCCAS). As CEO, Haas oversaw the organization’s administrative functions, programming, finances and facilities across eight offices throughout the 13-county Diocese of Erie. Prior to CCCAS, Haas held various senior leadership roles over nearly two decades at Family Services of Northwestern Pennsylvania.

Haas holds a bachelor’s degree in economics from Allegheny College and a master’s degree in counseling from Gannon University. He is also a licensed counselor, holding designations as a Pennsylvania Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC), National Certified Counselor (NCC), and Level II Certified Clinical Trauma Professional.

An active volunteer in the Diocese of Erie and the local community, Haas has served as a youth minister, religious education teacher, university campus minister, and baseball coach. He is also active in Rotary Club of Erie and the Knights of Columbus.

Brenda Karlinchak
Principal

814.824.2405
bkarlinchak@mpslakers.com

Ms. Karlinchak has a decade of educational experience in both instructional and administrative roles. She received teaching certification from Ashland University and a master’s degree in Curriculum and Instruction as well as her K-12 principal certification from Gannon University.

She brings a wealth of prior administrative experience.  After graduating from John Carroll University with a bachelor’s degree in biology, Ms. Karlinchak was the director of clinical research and programs in the Neurological Institute at University Hospitals Case Medical Center for nearly twenty years.  She also served as the executive director of a non-profit United Way of Greater Cleveland agency.

Ms. Karlinchak is a member of the Association for Supervision of Curriculum and Development and the National Science Teachers Association. She also belongs to the National Association of Secondary School Principals and the Pennsylvania Association of Student Assistance Professionals.

Marcus Yuille
Assistant Principal

814.824.2317
myuille@mpslakers.com

Marcus Yuille is a native of Southwestern Pennsylvania and a graduate of Pennsylvania State University, Behrend College, where he earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Political Science. He also holds a Master of Business Administration with a concentration in Human Resource Management from the University of Phoenix.

Mr. Yuille possesses significant administrative experience, having previously served as the Outreach Services Manager for the Erie County Public Library. He was also appointed as the first Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Officer for Erie County, where he oversaw critical reforms in community engagement, hiring practices, and professional development within the county government.

Furthermore, Mr. Yuille has served as a Community School Director with the United Way of Erie County, advocating for equitable access to resources for students and families who encounter challenges and economic barriers. He remains actively engaged in the Erie community as the pastor of the Community Baptist Church. In addition, he is a board member of the Sarah Reed Children’s Center, the Penn State Behrend Political Science Advisory Board, and an active participant in the Kappa Beta Lambda Chapter of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. Throughout his endeavors, Mr. Yuille is committed to inspiring others, maintaining the conviction that every individual’s life is worthy of hope and renewal.