This month, we’re honored to celebrate a remarkable milestone within our IFSI community. Mary Mitrovich, one of our longest-standing team members, is celebrating 20 years with the Institute.
From the early days of a much smaller organization to the global community we are today, Mary has been a steady, thoughtful, and deeply caring presence. Her work has touched nearly every corner of the Institute, and her Spirit-of-Self leadership has shaped the experience of staff, participants, and colleagues across two decades.
In this special anniversary spotlight, Mary reflects on her journey—what first drew her here, what has sustained her, and the personal and professional chapters that have unfolded along the way.
Let’s Get to Know Mary
What originally brought you to the Institute, and what has kept you here for 20 years?
My friend was working for Dick and asked me to come over for a meeting to see if I would be interested in working a few hours a week doing finance for the company. I said I didn’t think I could handle it. She said, “Oh, I am sure you can.” I agreed to try it out. On my first day, I had to teach myself everything!
I loved working for “CSL” at the time because I could be on my own and work whenever I had time, as long as I got the work done. I came from a company where I was responsible for 100 people, and the owner would go away for the winter. I was totally on my own and used to that. I never thought I would find a job like that again. This was that job. What kept me here was that my time freed up (kids got older) and CSL grew. I loved talking with all the participants and trainers. Even though I never spent a day working in an official office, I got to interact with people all day.
“I never thought I would find a job like that again. This was that job.” — Mary
How has the Institute evolved since you first joined, and what do you think people today might be surprised to learn about those early years?
The Institute has grown immensely since I started. In the early years, we had a skeleton staff and everyone had multiple jobs. We all helped each other to get things done. We were all outside contractors in the beginning, then we added payroll. I became HR and Payroll clerk. Now, after 20 years, it’s incredible to see 44 people working at the Institute.
When you look back, what accomplishments or moments are you most proud of?
I am proud of the fact that for 16 years I WAS the Finance Department. I billed every participant, paid every bill, reconciled all accounts, handled all insurance, payroll, retirement plan, and anything else that needed to get done.
Is there a moment when you felt especially connected to the community?
When Covid happened, we all pivoted very quickly to bring our trainings online. Jen learned Zoom and hired and trained all the Zoom techs, Mary Anne scheduled as many trainings as she could. Our Trainers were “ROCK STARS”! They pivoted from in-person trainings to online trainings immediately. We all worked together to keep the trainings going and keep the participants happy.
I talked at length to many participants during Covid. They were worried about an online training, and so many of them called back after to say their training was life changing.
I especially love going to the IFS Annual Conference and working the Bookstore. Ashley and I could write a book about our conference stories—there is nothing like spending time with 600 people who all love being in one place!
“Our Trainers were ROCK STARS!” — Mary
Can you share a favorite story or meaningful memory from your time here?
One of the things I love most about IFSI are the people it attracts. The Trainers and my coworkers are some of my favorite people. I went through the loss of my parents and my sister while working here, as well as a couple of very serious health scares with two of my children. I learned that when someone at IFSI asks how you are doing, they really care and want to help. I cannot express how many of the people (trainers and staff) have helped me through some of my toughest life’s challenges. This truly is a special community.
“This truly is a special community.” — Mary
What’s something about you outside of work that our community might not know but would be delighted to learn?
I teach Religious Ed to first through third graders and have done this for 15 years. Before that, I watched the RE teacher’s kids so they could teach. I LOVE kids and being with them. I love being a mom and love it when my coworkers call me mom. I love baking and shopping. I love to sew. I do the Wordle and all the other games on NYT every day. I just got back from my first trip to Europe and now I LOVE to go to Europe and can’t wait for my next trip!
Your time at the Institute spans so many chapters of your life. What personal milestones stand out as part of your journey alongside your work here?
My kids were younger when I first started at CSL. They are grown now, and while my most important job in life was raising my kids, my FAVORITE thing now is being a grandmother. I love playing with my grandson, Iggy!
“My FAVORITE thing now is being a grandmother.” — Mary
Is there anything else you’d like to share that we haven’t asked about—any story, gratitude, or reflection that feels important as you celebrate this milestone?
I consider myself very blessed to have had this job for 20 years. I have felt like I was helping the people who are helping so many people with life’s problems and traumas. I feel very strongly that our trainers are changing the world, and anything I can do to help them makes me feel like I am helping too. I love the people I work with and look forward to working with them for a long time!
Honoring Mary: Reflections from Colleagues
Throughout all the changes we have gone through, Mary has been a steadfast anchor, always upbeat and kind, no matter how often I forget to sign something or send in receipts. Her Self presence helps those new to IFSI feel comfortable and valued. For so many years she was the accounting department-- even as we grew to the point where the job was unmanageable for one person— and she just kept working harder. I’m so glad that she no longer has to carry that load alone and has trusted colleagues. Mary, I’m so grateful! —Dick Schwartz
In addition to being a truly wonderful human, Mary is the keeper of history at the Institute. Have a question about a contract from 20 years ago? Mary can find it in her files in under five minutes! Her commitment to integrity, fairness—and record keeping—is extraordinary. I so appreciate not only what Mary has done and continues to do for the Institute, but, importantly, how her values have shaped who we are today. —Katie Nelson
I feel very fortunate to have had Mary as a colleague over the years. She’s smart, funny, compassionate, dedicated, and a delightful person to shoot the breeze with over a cup of coffee. She was a great partner during the days when a “win” was getting 15 people to do a training and pay on time, and especially during the darkest days of Covid when we all pulled together to pull out all the stops to keep people in our suddenly online trainings. Mary, congratulations and thank you for your 20 years of service to our collective mission, and for the wonderful memories we’ve made together. —Mary Anne Gardner
It was my pleasure to work with Mary for thirteen years together at IFSI. Mary’s warmth, humor, work ethic and integrity were invaluable assets to IFSI then, as I’m sure they are now. I miss working with her and always enjoyed our conversations. Her advice on how to best solve challenges was invariably spot on, and her devotion to the organization, our team, and the IFS community was unwavering and inspiring. Congratulations to Mary on twenty years at IFSI! I’m pleased to join in recognizing your hard work and dedication on behalf of the thousands of people you’ve served over the years. —Jon Schwartz
What really stands out about Mary, is her commitment to IFSI. And this includes Dick and Jeanne, our staff and our Trainers and Attendees. She puts in the effort and time to make sure everyone else is taken care of, whether it is paying trainers, making payroll or reimbursing staff for travel. The company means so much to her because she has been here to help it grow, and I think that makes it very personal for her. —Jeffrey Morris
I’ve known Mary for 15 years and have come to know just how essential she is to the heart of IFSI. Mary is someone who supports everyone in this community—whether you’re on staff, a Trainer, or participant, she has, without a doubt, made your experience better. She supports her colleagues no matter what she has on her plate; she jumps in to help, offers guidance, and always shows up with a generous spirit. To me, Mary is not just a colleague. She’s my friend. And to so many of us here, she’s our work mom; someone who brings warmth, wisdom and the kind of presence that makes this community feel like home. —Ashley Curley
Mary’s reflections are a beautiful reminder that the heart of IFSI is its people—those who show up year after year with generosity, humility, and a commitment to healing and connection.
We are deeply grateful for Mary’s 20 years of service, presence, and leadership. Please join us in celebrating her milestone and in appreciating the many ways she has helped shape the Institute into the community we cherish today.