Mary Kay Griffin honored by Alumni Association

Friday, Dec. 11, 2015

SALT LAKE CITY — Mary Kay Griffin was among five recipients of the University of Utah Merit of Honor Award from the University of Utah Alumni Association at a banquet Nov. 10.

Since 1971, more than 500 former university students have received the Merit of Honor Award from the association’s Emeritus Alumni Board. This recognition is for those who attended the university at least 40 years ago and who have given distinguished service to their profession, the university and/or the nation.

Griffin, a 1970 University of Utah graduate and a St. Ambrose parishioner, “has been a force in her profession, the community and the nation for the past 30 years,” states the Merit of Honor biography. She is the managing director of CBIZ, MHM, LLC, one of the nation’s top providers of accounting, tax and advisory services; a member of the National Executive Board for CBIZ Women’s Advantage; and past president of the Utah Association of Certified Public Accountants. 

Griffin serves on the boards of the School of Accounting at the University of Utah David Eccles School of Business, the Women’s Financial Group of Zions Bank, the Utah State Bar Commission, the Catholic Diocese of Salt Lake City and the Salt Lake City Department of Airports. She has participated in many community activities, including the Make a Wish Foundation, and has been recognized by United Way as Council Member of the Year by the Salt Lake Chamber’s Women’s Business Center as a Pathfinder. She also has  been honored as Distinguished Alumnus by the university’s School of Accounting. 

Monsignor J. Terrence Fitzgerald, vicar general emeritus, has known Griffin for many years, and has worked with her in a variety of ministries, he said. 

“Mary Kay has served faithfully for the Catholic diocese and the community on numerous boards with great distinction, whether it’s the diocesan finance council, the lay retirement board, Catholic Community Services or the Judge Memorial Catholic High School board; for all of these endeavors and ministries, Mary Kay has brought prudence and wisdom to the table regarding any issue,” Msgr. Fitzgerald said. “Mary Kay has generously given her time and expertise; she is truly one of the most professional, and at the same time, compassionate and caring individuals I have known. She is articulate, a person of great integrity and a person of great concern for the welfare of the community, the Catholic Church, or charities; she truly cares for people and has a vision of how things can be better, and she is willing to step forward and make a contribution.”

Griffin served on the steering committee for the diocesan pastoral planning process at the request of the Most Rev. John C. Wester, ninth Bishop of Salt Lake City, said Susan Northway, director of the Office of Religious Education for the Diocese of Salt Lake City. 

“In spite of a very busy professional schedule she faithfully contributed to our committee meetings,” said Northway. “Her commitment brought new meaning to the old adage, ‘If you want to get something done, ask a busy person!’”

Griffin is an “incredible woman who is involved in many activities,” said Joan Loffredo, the diocesan financial officer, who met Griffin in the 1980s.

“Mary Kay began serving on the diocesan finance council in 1999 and since 2008 also serves on the diocesan Capital Corporation board and the Lay Employees’ Pension Plan board,” said Loffredo. “Her professional opinion is also sought for diocesan financial transactions. She is a very well-respected CPA in Utah, an incredible woman, who has been involved in developing women as leaders, and she is always willing to serve.”