Mary Lou is a native Californian and recent returnee to San Diego. An HR professional, her career ranged from the United Nations to most recently SAIC in San Diego and McLean, VA. Her passion for empowering women and youth led her to long-term Board memberships of both the American Near East Refugee Association (ANERA) in Washington DC, and Second Story, an at-risk and homeless youth program in Virginia. In addition, her affiliation with The Friends of Guest House, a transitional living program for formerly incarcerated women, led her to establish a pre-release mentoring program for women at two county jails in Virginia. Through ANERA, Mary Lou sponsors a playground for the children of Nahr El-Bared, a refugee camp in Lebanon.
Mary Lou was a Tribute to Women in Industry Award Winner, and is a former member of the SD Commission on the Status of Women. She received her B.A. from Vassar College and M.A. from Columbia University. She has travelled extensively in Europe and the Middle East, and enjoys painting, motorcycle cross country travel, and building her barn home in Michigan with her sidekick, Rick, and monster cat, Zimba. She is honored to be a member of the Board of YAC, as she believes strongly in the mission and need to provide support to vulnerable youth.
