Trustee Spotlight: MEET VELEN DIAZ THOMPSON ’83

When asked about her high school years at the Academy of the Holy Names, Velen Diaz Thompson ’83 credited her parents, teachers and the SNJM Sisters for instilling confidence in her life, voice and path to be or do whatever she wanted. Now, as an alumna, a past Holy Names Alumni Association Board member, a parent of an alumna, a Legacy Society member and a Board of Trustees member, she is on a mission to give back to Academy students. To celebrate her 40th class reunion, Thompson is challenging her classmates to help raise one full tuition for an Academy student.

Even at a young age, Velen Thompson had her heart set on attending the Academy. With her older brothers attending Jesuit, she fondly remembers high school events and functions during her middle school years and experiencing the long-standing traditions while meeting other kids her age along the way. “It was part of our family culture. That is where I always saw myself. I knew it was where I wanted to be,” she says.

During her years at the Academy (1979-83), Thompson took full advantage of the opportunities at her fingertips. The 1983 yearbook highlights Thompson as student body president and a member of student organizations, including the yearbook staff, Christian Life Community Club and National Forensic League — not to mention Holly Court Queen. “The Academy influenced me in a major way. I received a great foundation at AHN that carried me forward in college and other lifelong endeavors.”

Thompson stayed connected to the Academy after graduation and throughout her years at Florida State University. When visiting home in Tampa, she would stop by the Academy to see the teachers and Sisters who were such significant influences in her life, especially Sister Ann Regan, SNJM. She also remembers visiting other teachers, including Mrs. Marietta Crosby, Sister Mary Glavin, SNJM, and Sister Mary Patricia Plumb, SNJM ’55. “I always wanted to stop by and say hello when I was home. It was part of my routine and allowed me to stay connected,” says Thompson.

Eventually, her daughter, Christina, attended and graduated from the Academy in 2016.

“I feel strongly about the importance of faithbased education, and for me specifically, a Catholic faith-based education.” It’s a part of who Thompson is and what grounds her and her family. Thompson and her husband agreed early on to educate their children in a Catholic school. “When you educate the whole person, you’re educating their worth, how they give back and how they think of others. That’s very important to me.”

Today, Thompson is senior vice president, private wealth advisor at Merrill Lynch. She was recently named Forbes Top Women Wealth Advisors Best-In-State 2023 — an incredible accomplishment. She credits the Academy’s faith-based education as a major influence in her career. “It has always given me a sense that God wants for my ‘welfare and not for woe’ (Jeremiah 29:11). I believe things will work out.” For example, in an unexpected conversation with Academy alumnus Michael Valdes ’77, a professional door opened for Thompson to join his team, and she walked through it. “That was 20 years ago, and I’ve never looked back. I’m grateful for Michael and our Academy connection. He gave me a great opportunity at a career I love,” she says.