Length of Service: February 28, 2018 - present
Term Expires: January 13, 2024
Mary R. Nixon is a life-long Kentuckian, born and raised in Lexington. Following graduation from Western Kentucky University, Mrs. Nixon moved to Louisville where she has lived and worked ever since. She is committed to public service and passionate about higher education, having served on the Western Kentucky University’s Board of Advisors, endowed an Accounting Professorship at her alma mater, and having volunteered her time on various local educational projects.
Upon graduation from WKU, Mrs. Nixon spent 9 years at Ernst & Young's Louisville office doing audit and tax work for financial institutions, health care, and manufacturing clients. She joined PNC Bank as the Corporate Tax Manager in 1986, and worked in various finance roles until becoming the Controller for the Kentucky/Indiana PNC operations in 1991.
In 1996, Mary joined KFC, later Yum! Brands, as Controller and since that time served as the Vice President of Shared Services, USA Controller, Vice President of Internal Audit, and Vice President of Tax and Internal Audit. She retired in 2017.
Professionally Mary has served as the Chairman of the Kentucky State Board of Accountancy, member of the Board of Caritas Health Services, and on committees of the Kentucky Economic Development Commission, Kentucky Commission on Tax Policy, and the Governor's Economic Roundtable.
Her community activities have included service with the Metro United Way de Tocqueville Society, Louisville Ballet, Junior Achievement, Leadership Louisville, Cystic Fibrosis Foundation, Home of the Innocents, Kentucky Derby Host program, and other volunteer activities. Mrs. Nixon has supported Western Kentucky University as Co-Chair of its $102 million capital campaign, and currently serves on the University of Louisville Foundation Board of Directors, Kentucky Center for the Arts Board of Directors, 21st Century Parks Board of Directors and Evolve502 Board of Directors (Board Chair).
Mary believes that the University of Louisville is a vital asset to the Louisville community and is excited at the prospect of it becoming a premier, nationally recognized metropolitan research university.