Mary Kay Merkt

Mary Kay Merkt is the SVP, Director of Vendor Management & Procurement at Johnson Financial Group (Johnson Bank) in Racine, WI. With over 35 years of experience in Vendor Management and Procurement, Mary Kay has played a pivotal role in enhancing the company's operations. Her responsibilities have included Business Continuity Management, Incident Response, and Records Management, broadening her role within the Risk Management Area. In her current role, Mary Kay spearheads continuous process improvements across all business lines, develops risk assessment models, budgetary and leadership responsibilities and negotiates enterprise contracts, seeking cost savings and innovative ideas from vendors.

Mary Kay is a graduate of the University of Wisconsin – Milwaukee BSN Registered Nurse. She holds certifications as a Certified Regulatory Vendor Program Manager (CRVPM Advanced IV), Certified Third Party Risk Professional (CTPRP), and Certified Toastmaster. She actively participates in the Gen AI initiative, where she collaborates with industry experts to explore and implement innovative AI technologies to enhance vendor management and procurement processes. Mary Kay is a leader on the Shared Assessment Procurement & Sourcing Committee and a member of the Financial Services Committee.

Mary Kay's dedication to excellence and strong leadership skills have made her an asset to Johnson Financial Group, where she continues to drive strategic initiatives and foster strong partnerships with vendors.