What I’ve Learned: Marilyn Skony Stamm, F74

Marilyn Skony Stamm, F74, traces much of her life—and her philanthropy—to the scholarships that made her education possible. She received scholarships to attend Northwestern University and worked throughout her undergraduate years. She then attended The Fletcher School on a full fellowship. Skony Stamm built a career in finance and global manufacturing, eventually becoming president and chief executive of Stamm International Corporation. Today, through a need-based scholarship fund, support for Fletcher’s low-interest loan program, and active service on the Fletcher Board of Advisors, she focuses on widening access for the next generation. Below, she shares the lessons that guide her.

Build Resilience Early
I was not raised with a safety net. I’m a product of scholarships. When you balance work, academics, and financial pressure, you learn quickly that perseverance is not optional. Stay focused on what you are trying to achieve, and don’t let hardship knock you off course.

Some of that mindset came from my parents. My father fought in World War II. My mother was a war bride from Europe. I was raised with a deep work ethic, a focus on education, and a clear understanding that when you fall, you get back up.

Take Calculated Risks
My career unfolded because I was willing to step into roles before I felt fully prepared. Too often, we—women especially—wait until we believe we meet every qualification. I did not. I trusted that if I didn’t know something, I would learn it. If I needed a new skill, I would acquire it.

That approach carried me from a foreign exchange trading desk in the 1970s into various positions within the global financial services sector, and eventually into leading a global manufacturing and distribution company. None of it was planned. I stayed open to opportunity and took risks when 
doing so was warranted.

Choose Values Over Roles
The environment you work in doesn’t just shape your output; it shapes who you become. Before I joined any organization, I looked beyond the title. I paid attention to values, culture, and how people were treated. I spoke with employees at all levels and tried to understand whether respect and accountability were real or just rhetoric.

I also stepped back every few years to assess where I was, where I had expected to be, and whether the path still aligned with my values and personal expectations. That discipline kept my career intentional rather than reactive.

Pass Opportunity On
My philanthropy is inseparable from my history. The fellowship I received was established by the first female Supreme Court justice in Illinois. Support like that changed my life—so I give back. Because of the ways in which I benefited, I believe I have a responsibility toward others.