Phyllis Stone ’80
Phyllis W. Stone is a consultant in leadership development and marketing. Originally from Chicago, she graduated from Notre Dame in 1980 with a bachelor’s in American Studies. She also studied at the Bell Leadership Institute, University of NC Chapel Hill, and in the Executive MBA Program at St. Joseph’s University. She is certified by the International Federation of Coaches as an executive coach, and studied at the Institute for Professional Excellence in Coaching.
Upon graduating from ND, Phyllis worked as a counselor in the university’s Admissions Office and then joined Merck & Co., Inc. in 1985 where she enjoyed a long career as a marketing professional. Throughout her twenty-five-year career at Merck, she worked on many of the company’s leading brands, even spearheading the global launch of multibillion products. Today, she utilizes her professional experience and expertise to help develop leaders across numerous sectors from non-profits to firms on Wall Street.
Phyllis is a member of the Board of Trustees at Notre Dame. She was first elected to the Board in 1995 after serving in various capacities for the University – a member of the Advisory Council for the School of Business, a founding member of the Black Alumni of Notre Dame, and secretary of the National Monogram Club Board. She is currently heavily active in her NJ parish as a Eucharistic minister, RCIA catechist, and assistant to the pastor. She has served on local community and church affiliated boards and councils including the Pastoral Council for her diocese, a member of the Bishop’s Synod for the creation of a diocesan strategic plan, the Franklin Township Foodbank, Crossroads Theatre and Chandler Hall, a Quaker-sponsored health service organization. Her hobbies including writing, painting and photography and framing.
Her husband, Jim, is a 1981 graduate of the University. Together they have one son, Alex, who is married with three children.