Mary Doucette, ‘93

My professional expertise is in financial services, but I’ve always been drawn to the work of building a better world and giving back to my community. That combination is what drew me to get involved with the Booth Alumni Nonprofit Consultants (BANC). 

After spending over 30 years working, I am now retired. I started my career programming investment models – quantitative and analytical as one might expect for a graduate of the Booth School of Business (1993 Evening Program). I held a variety of roles including program management, risk management, and investment consultant for both large institutional funds as well as ultra-high net worth families. 

I have also had extensive experience with nonprofit organizations. I co-founded the Social Justice Resource Center which links faith to action by providing information and resources on the social issues of our time.  I currently serve on the boards for the Maryknoll Lay Missioners and the Maryknoll Lay Missioners Foundation, and I am a volunteer financial coach for the YWCA in Evanston.

I was introduced to BANC through an email from Booth Alumni Relations that highlighted upcoming projects and the skill sets that BANC was seeking.  I was particularly drawn to a project for Inner Voice, an organization that provides affordable housing and support services for families and individuals as a pathway for health and recovery following a period of homelessness. The BANC team would develop dashboard metrics to further improve operations and to provide reports on effectiveness to current and prospective funders. My experience in data analytics and management reporting were a good match for the project needs. 

The team that came together for the project was amazing. Each of us had something unique to offer and everyone made significant contributions. I learned a lot from participating in the project that I can apply to my nonprofit board and other volunteer work that I do.  The client was very happy with our final deliverables which included a data dashboard, a review of the digital data collection and reporting capabilities as well as a strategic fundraising framework that utilized insights from the metrics developed.

My experience was so gratifying and worthwhile that I joined the BANC Operating Board as a Co-chair of the Operations Committee and volunteered to be a project leader for both the Women’s Business Development Center and the Chicago Foundation for Women.  I encourage anyone who is looking to leverage their background and skill set in a philanthropic way to consider volunteering for BANC.  It is a great way to network, to learn and to give back.