Alumni Spotlight: Alicia Scaffidi
It’s hard to believe it’s been 25 years since I graduated from Servite College. Looking back, I’m grateful for how much Servite has shaped my life – in family, friendships, community, and leadership.
My family is my greatest blessing, made even more meaningful knowing it began at Servite. I married my high school sweetheart, Adrian Scaffidi, also Class of ’99. Together, we have three amazing children, and our son Leo starts his own Servite journey next year – continuing the family tradition in his mum and dad’s old Priory, St Mary. The Servite connection runs even deeper, with my sister-in-law, Loretta Dayman (née Scaffidi), teaching Religious Education, and two of my nieces already part of the College community.
The friendships I made at Servite remain my closest and most treasured. Over 30 years, we’ve shared countless moments of laughter, support, and memories that continue to enrich my life.
One standout memory from school is our Year 9 girls’ horse-riding camp south of Perth – a three-day adventure where most of us had never even sat on a horse before. It taught us courage, friendship, and how to step outside our comfort zones – especially when facing a “bush toilet” for the first (and last!) time!
One of my Servite highlights was being selected for the 1998 American Student Exchange program, chaperoned by Mr Mark Pappas. Alongside my close friend Melissa Elkington (née Tropiano), I attended Servite’s sister school, Rosary, in California- soaking up American culture and enjoying a traditional Thanksgiving. More than just new experiences, this trip gave me an American family in the Mountcastles, who have stayed dear friends ever since, with us visiting each other back and forth across the years and miles.
Being appointed Head Girl in ’99 sparked my passion for leadership and influenced my future career and interests. Leadership coach Ben Crowe perfectly captures what Servite taught me: “Leadership has nothing to do with you, and everything to do with others – how you support, encourage, love, and serve them.” I strive to live by this ethos every day, in all areas of my life.
My professional career has spanned communications, marketing, strategy, and business development – roles that have provided me with broad and diverse experience. Today, as Chief of Staff, Clients and Markets at PwC, I work with senior leadership to drive execution, alignment, and advance projects on both a national and global scale.
Servite also instilled in me a deep commitment to service, a theme I’ve carried throughout my adult life. I’ve led fundraising efforts for charitable causes, served on not-for-profit boards, and had the privilege of chairing my children’s primary school board for five years.
The college motto, “Once a Servite, always a Servite,” rings true in every part of my life. So much of what I am thankful for today is because of, or connected to, my time at Servite.
