2006 alumna of the year

Mary Jo Johnson Dempsey HA’68

One might say that Mary Jo Johnson Dempsey HA’68 is a pioneer of sorts. Beginning her service to DSHA in 1994 as a member of the Endowment Foundation Board, she was involved in transitioning that board to the separately incorporated Board of Directors that exists today. During that same time period, she and her daughter Emily Dempsey DSHA’99 founded the DSHA Ski Club, which now has become a DSHA varsity sport. In addition, Mary Jo and her husband Tom served as cabinet members for the very successful Vision DSHA: Performing the Extraordinary campaign, the largest fundraising effort in DSHA’s history.  

Recently completing six years of service on the DSHA Board of Directors, Mary Jo was instrumental in the growth of the endowment. “Mary Jo has been THE most significant, influential board member involved in increasing the sophistication of DSHA’s investment policies and practices,” said Marikris Dalum O’Grady DSHA’84, immediate past president of the DSHA Board of Directors. Using her extensive knowledge and years of financial experience, she has been a leader in the establishment of a formal investment policy, which incorporates the Catholic values of DSHA with current market investment practices. She has been diligent in educating the board regarding this policy and in ensuring that the financial assets of DSHA are prudently well-positioned for growth in the years to come. “Having worked with Mary Jo on the DSHA Board of Directors for the past six years, I have come to know Mary Jo as someone who is dedicated to using her talents and insight to serve DSHA in its mission for continuous improvement,” said Marikris.

After graduating from Holy Angels Academy in 1968, Mary Jo went on to receive a bachelor’s degree in economics from the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee. She has been associated with NISA Investment Advisors, Milwaukee, for 27 years, where she currently serves as the director of client services. In addition to her daughter Emily, she has two sons, John and Kevin. A member of St. James Parish in Mequon, she has served on the academic and student affairs committees at Marquette University High School, is a member of Milwaukee Investment Analysts Society, Tempo, and Association for Investment Management Research. She likes to ski and read in her free time.

Congratulations, Mary Jo!