Nancy Callahan Salvia ’85

Mayor of Rochester, Michigan

Alumna Advice: Nancy Callahan Salvia ’85 “When you’re in a hard situation, it might be scary, but that’s the moment you have the most courage. It shrinks the bad things and amplifies the good things.”

Nancy Callahan Salvia ’85 first discovered the power of good leadership while serving on Student Council at Magnificat. Today, she is not only a Senior Vice President and Senior Financial Advisor at Merrill Lynch, but also the Mayor of Rochester, Michigan.

“Magnificat gave me confidence,” she said. “I loved the all-girls experience, and it cemented in me the idea that you can never let anyone steal your confidence.”

After earning a bachelor’s degree in business at Miami University of Ohio and an MBA from the University of Detroit Mercy, Salvia launched her career at Chrysler. Right out of college, she was responsible for $20 million in purchasing. The experience was invaluable, but after several years, she began searching for work that felt more personal. That opportunity came unexpectedly.

“When my parents passed, the first people I called were the pastor and their financial advisor,” she said.

“I realized how helpful the advisor was in that difficult time. In that very sad moment, God brought me an open door.”

She pursued financial advising and joined Merrill Lynch in 2007. Today, her team manages over $300 million in client assets and has earned recognition as one of Forbes’ Best-in-State Wealth Management Teams, with Salvia personally named Best in State Female Advisor in both 2024 and 2025.

“The team is the most important to me,” she said. “Leadership is about listening, communicating, and ensuring people feel valued.”

Salvia is a mentor for Merrill’s National Women’s Exchange, sharing, “Women are great financial advisors because we are great listeners.” She also draws inspiration from the statue “Fearless Girl,” which was placed on Wall Street in 2017 to encourage the appointment of more women on corporate boards.

Her professional success opened another door: public service. Serving on Student Council gave her an early taste for public service, one she never forgot. Encouraged by a friend, Salvia ran for Rochester City Council. The transition from business to government wasn’t easy. Her first term left her questioning if she should continue, but

during the isolation of COVID, she realized how much she missed her neighbors and her community. She ran again, this time championing a state-funded community housing modernization project.

Eight years later, she has served multiple terms on council, four years as backup mayor, and one year as mayor. She is running again this fall.

“When you go door-to-door, you realize it’s your neighbors,” she said. “They love the city as much as I do.”

For Salvia, Rochester reminds her of her hometown, Fairview Park. With its rivers, trails, senior center, arts initiatives, and vibrant downtown, it’s a city she is proud to help shape. She encourages her fellow alumnae to come and visit.

“There is something for everyone in Rochester, Michigan,” she said. “We are especially known for our Big Bright Light Show for Christmas, and it’s only 2.5 hours from Cleveland!”

Through it all—business, politics, and service—her advice remains consistent: Build resiliency. Grounded in faith, family, and the values instilled at Magnificat, Salvia continues to lead fearlessly.

“He who is mighty has done great things for me,” she said. “That is why I serve—my community, my clients, and the people I love.”