Mary O’Leary, HSS Board Member

While Mary O’Leary knew about Human Support Services for years, it wasn’t until she attended the annual Shine Your Light Gala that she began to really understand the impact HSS has on the lives of people in our community.

The moving, and often inspiring, stories shared by clients and speakers at the gala had a resounding effect on Mary.

So when Mary, who had long been active in her children’s PTA and ice hockey club, decided it was time for her to do more to serve the community, HSS was a natural choice.

“A co-worker of mine, Jennifer Harres, was on the HSS Foundation and asked me to get involved,” Mary said. “I was looking for a way to give back so it was a resounding yes!”

With a real life understanding of HSS’ programs and services and a background in finance, Mary joined the board in September 2021. She was quickly named chairperson of the finance committee.

Originally from Paris, Mo., Mary moved to St. Louis in 1992. She attended Missouri State University in Springfield where she earned a degree in business before settling in Columbia, Ill., in 2004.

In 2018, Mary was named vice president and controller for First National Bank of Waterloo.

As a board member, Mary continues to support HSS events and fundraisers. She enjoys attending the HSS gala, client performances and the annual Thanksgiving dinner.

When she’s not crunching numbers or driving kids to hockey practice, Mary enjoys reading mystery and suspense novels.

If you’re interested in serving on a committee or joining the HSS board, please contact Courtney Hunter, director of development, at chunter@hss1.org.