University of Detroit Mercy recently appointed six industry and religious leaders to the institution’s Board of Trustees. These individuals have made global contributions to their professions and represented the Jesuit and Mercy traditions in those fields and in their communities. Their terms of service are effective immediately.
University President Antoine M. Garibaldi said the expertise and experience of the new trustees will enhance the University’s board and offer unique perspectives to help the institution continue on its successful trajectory.
“These new trustees are exceptional individuals who have distinguished themselves professionally and are committed to the mission and values of University of Detroit Mercy,” he said. “We are honored to have their wisdom and insight as we continue to create boundless futures for our students.”
New Board of Trustees
J. Thomas McClain, S.J. ’72 is in his eleventh year as the general treasurer of the Society of Jesus. A native Detroiter, he attended University of Detroit Jesuit High School before entering the Jesuits. He received his undergraduate degree (A.B.) from University of Detroit, an M.A. in German Literature from the University of California/Berkeley, and a M.Div. from the Jesuit School of Theology at Berkeley. He was ordained a priest in 1977.
As a Jesuit, he has held a variety of positions in secondary education, served as pastor of St. Mary Student Parish and the director of Catholic campus ministry programs at the University of Michigan. He has also served on the boards of Fairfield University and Fordham University.
Judith A. Carey, RSM, is a member of the Sisters of Mercy and serves as a facilitator/organizational consultant. She received her Bachelor’s Degree in Elementary Education from Diocesan Teachers’ College in Madison, Conn., a Master’s Degree in Special Education from Saint Joseph College, a Ph.D. in Educational Psychology from the University of Connecticut and a Doctor of Humane Letters from Saint Joseph College.
Her extensive background includes former roles as the vice president of Mission Integration at Saint Francis Hospital and Medical Center in Hartford, Conn.; president of the Connecticut Regional Community of the Sisters of Mercy, in West Hartford, as well as vice president and director of Corporate Ministry for the Sisters of Mercy. At the University of Saint Joseph, she served as director of the Gengras Center and as associate professor and chairperson of the Special Education Department.
Sister Judith has been involved in the development of the sponsorship structures for the Conference for Mercy Higher Education and the Northeast Community and has assisted other religious congregations regarding mission, sponsorship, role of the members and bylaw development.
A few of the numerous boards she has served on include: Conference for Mercy Higher Education; Journey Home, Inc.; Mercy East Community Health System Board of Directors in St. Louis, Mo.; Medical Aid to Haiti, Inc., West Hartford, Conn.; Connecticut Hospital Association Board of Directors; and Leadership Greater Hartford.
Michael A. Carter Sr. ’72, ’78 is managing partner of Pinnacle Construction Partners, LLC, a commercial preconstruction, planning and construction management service company for the public and private sector and president and CEO of MAC LLC, a commercial and residential development company. A native of Detroit, he holds a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science cum laude and an MBA from University of Detroit and lives in Franklin, Tenn.
Carter is active in several civic and community organizations, and is co-founder of the Jalen Rose Leadership Academy in Detroit. He currently serves as president of Operation Graduation and is former board chair of the Nashville Public Education Foundation and United Way of Metropolitan Nashville. He is also a former board member of the Middle Tennessee Council, Boy Scouts of America and 100 Black Men of Middle Tennessee. Some of his many professional and service awards include University of Detroit Mercy’s Spirit Award, United Way of Metropolitan Nashville Dr. Thomas F. Frist, Jr. Excellence in Volunteer Leadership Award and Nashville Chamber Volunteer of the Year.
Meredith R. Harper ’94, ’97 joined Eli Lilly & Company in August 2018 as deputy chief information security officer. In April 2019, she became vice president, chief information security officer for Lilly’s global information security program. Previously, she was chief information privacy and security officer for Henry Ford Health System. During her 26-year career, she has emerged as a strategic leader interested in processes, goals and objectives and passionate about the organization’s greatest assets, human capital. She received a Bachelor of Science in Computer Information Systems and Master of Science Degree in Health Services Administration from University of Detroit Mercy. She is currently completing her master’s in Jurisprudence in Health Law from the Loyola University Chicago School of Law.
She is a member of the Health Care Compliance Association and the International Association of Privacy Professionals where she has demonstrated her commitment to compliance by holding dual certifications in healthcare compliance and privacy. She is also certified as a Healthcare Information Security & Privacy Practitioner through the International Information System Security Certification Consortium, Inc. and a Certified Information Security Manager through the Information Systems Audit and Control Association.
Harper serves on several boards in support of her passion to empower women and minorities to embark on technology and information security careers. She is also a Diamond Life member in Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc.
Jeff Bourgoin ’86 is executive director, Global Operations Finance for Ford Motor Co. and is responsible for all financial matters related to Product Development, Investment Efficiency, Material Cost, Manufacturing, MP&L, Quality, SE&SE, Ford Customer Service Division and Customer Experience. He graduated from University of Detroit with a Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering and holds a MBA in Finance from Michigan State University.
He previously served as Ford’s controller, Global & U.S. Marketing & Sales, North American Product Development finance controller, Fleet controller and Retail/Fleet & Pricing controller, and Product Development controller of Jaguar & Land Rover in the United Kingdom.
Nancy Hazely ’78 is the founder of Tax Trilogy, a firm she began in 2007 with locations in Michigan, Georgia and Florida. A graduate of University of Detroit with a Bachelor’s Degree in Accounting, she is a member of the Institute of Professionals in Taxation, founder of DBAC 2.0 and an advisory board member of University of Detroit Mercy’s College of Business Administration. She is also a former chairwoman of the board for Cornerstone Schools Association and a member of the Michigan Minority Supplier Diversity Council.
Prior to launching Tax Trilogy, Hazely spent 30 years with Ford Motor Co., holding various positions in the automaker’s accounting/finance, taxation and corporate governance departments. As manager of Sales and Use Tax Quality and Analysis, she oversaw tax activities for various entities including Ford Motor Co., Ford Motor Credit Co., Volvo Cars, Volvo Finance, Jaguar, Land Rover, Ford Land and others. She and her team were responsible for sales and use tax compliance, account reconciliations, audit management and general tax support to the overall business. She also coordinated and managed a Ford team in Chennai, India, and consolidated tax services (compliance and account reconciliations) for Ford on a global basis (United States, Canada, United Kingdom, Spain, Germany and Sweden). For the last few years of her Ford career, she led the Internal Control efforts for the Tax Department globally.
In 2008, she established a forum for CEOs and business leaders titled “Detroit Business Advisory Council” (DBAC), which allows leaders to interact in a confidential environment regarding significant issues that Michigan businesses currently face.
