Nonprofit Executive of the Year Finalist: Sue Smith

As president of Nativity Jesuit Academy since 2015, Sue Smith has many accomplishments to her credit.

Smith, a marketing, fundraising, organizational management and community relations professional with more than 25 years of experience, has led Nativity Jesuit Academy as it has expanded from serving middle school students to now serving a total of 252 students in grades K4 through eight.

Nativity Jesuit Academy primarily serves Milwaukee’s Latinx community, and many graduates continue their Jesuit education at Marquette University High School, Cristo Rey Jesuit High School and Marquette University.

Funds raised during a successful $5 million campaign, which Smith initiated, have enabled the school’s Milwaukee campus to make much-needed renovations. Nativity Jesuit Academy’s campus in Mercer – home to Camp Thunderhead, a summer academic program that offers daily classes in natural sciences, language arts and math, along with outdoor recreational activities – will also receive upgrades that are expected to be completed at the end of this year.

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