Force for Good
Mary Lou’s passions are connected through three priorities: advocacy for women, support for her Irish heritage and loyalty to her communities.
For Women
After 25 years in executive positions focused on women, Mary Lou founded Just Ask a Woman in 1999, along with business partners Jen Levine Drexler and Tracy Chapman, with the sole goal of bringing women’s truths to her Fortune 100 clients. Listening to thousands of women over 12 years, she helped raise attention for the most powerful, yet misunderstood population of consumers.
Additionally, Mary Lou has received honors from leading women’s organizations, including Advertising Woman of the Year from Advertising Women of New York and the prestigious Matrix Award from New York Women in Communications. She has keynoted conferences about women across the US and Europe. She has mentored dozens of young women on their personal and career journeys.
She has evolved the mission of Just Ask a Woman to encompass her creative, production and philanthropic ventures giving voice to women’s lives.
For Heritage
Mary Lou and her husband Joe Quinlan are proud of their Irish roots and support causes and organizations that celebrate all things Irish.
They are founding members of the Irish Arts Center in NYC, supporters of the Irish Repertory Theater, Glucksman Ireland House at NYU, the Ireland Fund, as well as cultural and community organizations in Ireland and Northern Ireland, including the Lyric Theater, Belfast, the Limetree Theater, Limerick, the Irish Hospice foundation and Fighting Words and Peace Players.
They are also sponsors of the new Seamus Heaney Writing Center at Queens University, Belfast.
For Home
Mary Lou believes in never forgetting where she came from. She is an active member of the Advisory Council of her primary school St. Helena’s/Incarnation in her native Philadelphia, as well as supporting her alma maters Saint Joseph’s University, Philadelphia and Fordham University, NYC.
She has been awarded honorary degrees from five US universities including Saint Joseph’s University, Creighton University, Chestnut Hill College, Rosemont College and Alvernia University for her career focused on women and has received the highest alumni awards for service from her various schools.
Additionally, proceeds of her performances of The God Box play and sales of its companion book have gone to dozens of US and Irish charities important to her family’s lives including cancer care, hospice and education, exceeding $650,000 raised to date.