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Two nationally recognized female leaders and “Women of Carroll” will deliver commencement keynote addresses at John Carroll University on the weekend of May 18-19, 2019. John Carroll University is celebrating 50 years of co-education throughout this academic year.

Nancy Benacci ’77, managing director and co-director of equity research at KeyBanc Capital Markets, will deliver the keynote address for the Graduate ceremony on Saturday, May 18, at 1 p.m.

Joan Crockett ’72, former senior vice president of human resources at Allstate Insurance Company, will deliver the keynote address for the Undergraduate ceremony on Sunday, May 19 at 11 a.m.

Benacci and Crockett will receive honorary degrees during the respective ceremonies.

Nancy Benacci ’77

Nancy Benacci ’77

Nancy Benacci serves as the managing director and co-director of equity research at KeyBanc Capital Markets, leading a team of 65 people who cover more than 600 companies. She is a Chartered Financial Analyst and was named by the Wall Street Journal as a top-ranked equity analyst covering the insurance industry, ranking first in stock picking in 1998. Benacci was a member of John Carroll’s board of directors from 2006-2017, where she served a chair of the finance committee for eight years. She received the Alumni Medal in 2013 and Crain’s Cleveland Business Women of Note Award in 2014.

Joan Crockett ’72

Joan Crockett ’72

Joan Crockett was one of the first female students to graduate from John Carroll. She went on to spend 35 years with Allstate before retiring in 2008. As senior vice president of human resources, she led a strategic transformation of the company’s HR department, winning numerous national awards for her leadership in the human resource profession. She was responsible for developing a full range of policies designed to attract, retain and reward Allstate employees and agents. Crockett was a member of John Carroll board of directors for six years, serving as chair of the human resources committee.

For a full schedule of Commencement events, please visit our website.