Built by Women, Designed for All

At 55%, Hawk alumnae constitute a majority of Saint Joseph’s University’s more than 112,000 living alumni. These women hail from a wide spectrum of industries, hold esteemed leadership roles, pioneer major advancements and contribute to their communities in transformative and lasting ways.

To harness this powerful network and expand and unite the University’s existing programming and mission, Saint Joseph’s is now strategically broadening the reach of its Women’s Center to become the new SJU Alumnae Center for Leadership. Built by women, but designed for all, the Alumnae Center — which was officially announced at the University’s “Lead ON: A Celebration of Alumnae Leadership” event on Thursday, Nov. 6 — will support students and graduates alike to grow as leaders in their careers, communities and beyond.

Alumna Mary Lou Quinlan BA ’75, H ’07, has long been a catalyst for leadership and empowerment initiatives at SJU. Now, she has volunteered to serve as the Center’s director for its inaugural 2025-2026 year and has made a five-year pledge to support initial programming. Her vision for the establishment of the Alumnae Center is really about creating a wide invitation for engagement.

“Our alumnae are a powerhouse of possibilities. Leveraging their connections and talents and generosity to support our deserving students is critical in today’s world,” says Quinlan. “We’ll be asking alumnae and friends to join us so that the Center can grow to become a robust and sustained resource where generations can connect, collaborate and pay it forward.” 

Before announcing her own commitment to the Center on Thursday night, Quinlan shared that Nancy Duperreault, H ’08, and Brian Duperreault, BS ’69, would also support the Center with a transformative $500,000 gift. While unable to attend in person, Nancy, who first proposed the idea of supporting the Center to Quinlan, shared a video message with attendees.

“What is the thing you can really pass on? It’s the unseen, the immaterial things — love, care, wisdom. You give it to the next person who outlives you and gives it to the next person and the next person. That’s what’s so exciting about [the Center]: You have the opportunity to perpetuate the morals and ideals of Magis and St. Joe’s,” said Nancy.

The Alumnae Center will offer a series of events focused on nurturing leadership, bringing more alumnae — both to campus and virtually – as speakers and recruiters, building strong mentorship networks and supporting well-being initiatives that build personal resilience.

“St. Joe’s taught me that success in life comes with an obligation to give back,“ says Quinlan. “We can use our experiences, our passions … in other words, our gifts … to lift those who follow us. Our students continue to strive to be women and men with and for others. This is our turn to be there FOR THEM.” 

At the event on Thursday, President Cheryl A. McConnell, PhD, concluded with a powerful reminder of our shared responsibility to pave the way for future generations.

“Legacy. It’s about who we are, what matters to us, what we leave behind. St. Joe’s gave us roots. Let us give this next generation wings to soar,” she said.

The Center’s inaugural director has a longstanding history with Saint Joseph’s University. Quinlan was a University trustee for 10 years, received the highest alumni award, The Shield of Loyola, and previously served as SJU’s communications director, as well as an adjunct professor in marketing.

After a decade in marketing for Avon Products, Inc., Quinlan rose to CEO of NYC advertising agency NW Ayer. Subsequently, she founded her own women’s consultancy, Just Ask a Woman, where she advised dozens of Fortune 500 companies on marketing strategy and, for many years, keynoted national conferences. She is the author of four books about women, including the New York Times bestseller “The God Box.” For the past 12 years, she performed a solo show, “The God Box” Off-Broadway, across the U.S. and in Ireland, donating all proceeds, in excess of $700,000 to local charities.