Notre Dame Academy (NDA) President Kim Grilliot will be one of eight extraordinary women honored during the YWCA of Northwest Ohio’s 30th annual Milestones Awards in 2025.
Grilliot will be recognized for her contributions to the field of education.
This award recognizes an outstanding woman whose compassion and commitment provides a learning environment that fosters respect, creativity and curiosity.
She has been a servant leader in education for her entire 40-plus year career. She has served as NDA’s first lay vice principal and principal, and first lay president–serving in these capacities for 21-plus years (eight years as president).
Grilliot has led NDA to a new level of distinction, implementing the prestigious International Baccalaureate Diploma Program–the only one in northwest Ohio; starting the Junior Academy for grades 7-8; implementing and securing funding for a 1:1 iPad program for all grades; and partnering with universities to give students more opportunities to earn college credits.
In the words of the NDA staff who nominated her for this award, “Kim Grilliot has been a servant leader throughout her entire educational career, which spans more than 40 years. However, she is much more than the list of her professional accomplishments can show. She is a true servant who lives her Catholic faith and gives back to her community through service and support. Kim is someone who ‘walks the talk.’ Her leadership at NDA for more than 20 years has made a measurable difference. Nearly 3,000 young women have graduated from NDA during Kim’s tenure and, because of her leadership and the programs she instituted at NDA, have gone out into the world to make it a better place. NDA’s faculty and staff trust Kim’s experience, insight, and wisdom to lead the school to continued excellence. Kim is also the first layperson leader that the Sisters of Notre Dame trusted to lead the school–as vice principal, principal, and now as president. A catalyst for growth, Kim continues to inspire the hearts and transform the lives of those in the NDA community, as she continues the educational ministry initiated by the Sisters of Notre Dame.”
Grilliot joins Sr. Carol Gregory, SND,’58, who received this award in 2015.
