Shield of Loyola - 2007 Recipient
One of America’s leading marketers, Mary Lou Finlayson Quinlan '75 is the CEO and founder of Just Ask a Woman, an author of two bestselling books, motivational speaker, magazine columnist and regular correspondent on The CBS Early Show.
While building her successful career in New York City, Mary Lou never really left Hawk Hill. She has served as public relations director, adjunct professor, scholarship founder and 10 year member of the Board of Trustees. Thirty-two years after graduating as one of Saint Joseph’s first full-time female students, she came home again to deliver this year’s commencement address and accept an honorary Doctorate of Communications.
Though her career has taken her far, she has never forgotten where she got her start. Her roots are deep in Philadelphia Catholic education, as a graduate of St. Helena's School and Cardinal Dougherty High School. In addition to her alma mater, Mary Lou credits her happiness to her husband of 29 years, Joe Quinlan, her parents Mary and Ray Finlayson and her brother Jack Finlayson, SJU MBA class of ’79.