Mary Elizabeth Grimes, the President of Marian Middle School in St. Louis, will be receiving two awards for her outstanding work in the community.

This fall she will receive the 2020 Leaders of Distinction for YMCA St. Louis’ Academy.

In addition, she has been selected as a 2020 Missouri Athletic Club’s Woman of Distinction, honoring women who have been revolutionary in business, civic engagement, philanthropic programs and mentorship.

Mary Elizabeth was hired as president in December 2013. She is an effective leader and has more than 20 years of experience leading both for-profits and nonprofits through successful growth and transition. Prior to becoming the president at Marian, Mary Elizabeth served as State Director at the Greater Missouri Chapter of March of Dimes where she transformed the declining chapter into a sustainable and operationally efficient organization. She has also held other leadership positions, including President of Forward Vision, a brand management consulting firm; Director of Marketing for BJC Healthcare; Director of Development at Fair St. Louis; and Executive Director of Elite International Sports Marketing and Management. Mary Elizabeth has a Bachelor of Arts degree in English from Spelman College, where she graduated Cum Laude, and an Executive MBA from Washington University. As president, Mary Elizabeth is responsible for staff oversight, financial management, fund development, strategic planning, and operations for the school. In December 2016, she received the Incarnate Word Leadership Award for exemplary leadership and for mentoring Marian girls.

To congratulate her, you can email her at mgrimes@mms-slt.org or phone 314-771-7674, ext. 28.