MaryLou Oliva has built a career of more than three decades in administration, operations, and human resources. She began working at IBM at just 17 and went on to hold roles across multiple marketing divisions. While working full-time, she earned a B.A. in Psychology and Human Resources from Pace University, which helped her advance into management.
After pausing her career to raise her two children, MaryLou returned to the workforce with Grubb & Ellis Property Management before rejoining IBM. She quickly rose through the ranks, serving as Global Internship Program Manager for IBM Research, where she oversaw the company’s international internship program, and later as HR Partner for the Tucson Systems Storage division. Her final position was Corporate Concerns & Appeals Case Manager, where she managed complex corporate matters with professionalism and care.
In 2015, MaryLou transitioned into the financial services industry, taking on leadership roles in client service and marketing for a boutique advisory firm. She later joined Cetera Investors alongside longtime colleague and friend Gigi Schneppat and now brings her deep organizational expertise to Ironwood Family Wealth Advisors, supporting client service, operations, and marketing initiatives.
Personal
MaryLou lives in Tucson with her partner, Mike, and their three dogs, Roxee, Koda, and Liara. She enjoys baking for the holidays, reading, bowling, and attending movies, and she’s an enthusiastic fan of NASCAR, the New York Yankees, and the Arizona Wildcats.