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Mercier Named Executive Director of USM Foundation
A commitment to help elevate The University of Southern Mississippi will remain a guiding force for Stace Mercier as she transitions from interim Executive Director of the USM Foundation to a permanent role as the Foundation’s chief officer.
Mercier, who has served as the interim executive director since June, has spent more than a decade working in a variety of capacities for the Foundation, including chief financial officer and associate director for finance.
“I am excited about being named the permanent Executive Director for the Foundation,” said Mercier. “Regardless of the title, I have always been committed to doing my very best to advance the University. “The future of Southern Miss is bright, and the Foundation will be an integral part of shaping that future.”
The executive director is the top staff professional at the Foundation and directs the day-to-day operations for the organization. The Foundation is responsible for the University’s fundraising efforts and operates within the External Affairs division – which also includes the Southern Miss Alumni Association, the Trent Lott National Center for Economic Development and Entrepreneurship, and the Center for Military Veterans, Service Members and Families.
Chad Driskell, Vice President for External Affairs at USM, notes that Mercier’s commitment to excellence and willingness to lead by example made lifting the “interim” title an easy decision.
“I have great confidence and trust in the ability of Stace Mercier to be the permanent Executive Director of the USM Foundation,” said Driskell in announcing Mercier’s transition. “Stace possesses great leadership skills, has proven management experience, and provides an attention to detail that is uncompromising. This move gives us a solid leadership structure and allows us to move forward in assembling the highest-caliber development group possible.”
Reed Allison, who serves as president of the USM Foundation Board, has seen first-hand the inherent qualities that have propelled Mercier to the executive director’s chair.
“Having had the privilege of working closely with Stace the last few years, the Foundation leadership and I are very excited about her title of Executive Director of the Foundation being made permanent,” said Allison, senior vice president/investments at Stifel. “I am very confident that with her vision and leadership skills Stace is the right person to take the USM Foundation to the next level.”
Mercier received both her bachelor’s degree in accounting and her master’s in professional accountancy from USM. A Certified Public Accountant, she spent three years working for audit, tax and advisory firm KPMG in Jackson, Miss.
She stresses that the Foundation strives “to operate in a manner that instills confidence in donors so that alumni and friends of the University feel good about investing in our students, faculty, staff, and programs.”
“Charitable dollars play an important role in providing funds that can make a transformative impact on the University,” said Mercier. “Two very recent examples of that are Scianna Hall and the Dale Center for the Study of War and Society.”
Mercier and her husband, Andy, have two children. Their eldest daughter, Ann Marie, is in medical school at the University of Mississippi Medical Center and their youngest daughter, Betsy, is majoring in elementary education at Southern Miss. The Merciers are also members of the USM Foundation Honor Club.
To learn more about the USM Foundation, call 601.266.5210 or visit: https://www.usmfoundation.com/s/1149/foundation/start.aspx
