2026 St. Robert Bellarmine Award Recipient Mary Byrne B'79

Currently, Mary serves as the Associate Director of Community Development and Outreach at TRA Medical Imaging. This organization includes a foundation whose mission is to enhance access to medical imaging services while promoting workforce development, mentorship, and scholarship opportunities for students pursuing careers in healthcare. Her work reflects a lifelong commitment to expanding access, opportunity, and care within the South Sound community.

As a passionate advocate for Bellarmine, Mary has volunteered her time and leadership for decades. She has served on the PRIDE Auction Board, including roles as Board President and Auction Co-Chair. In 2011, she was honored with the Father Sneeringer Award for extraordinary service. Since 2020, she has been a familiar and trusted voice as the Emcee of the Bellarmine Gala. She also served as Gala Guild President in 2022 and continues her leadership as a member of the Gala Committee. Mary has spent six years on the Bellarmine Board of Directors and more than a decade on the Advancement Committee. Additionally, she managed the Lions Den during her sons’ time at Bellarmine.

Beyond her contributions to Bellarmine, Mary’s impact extends to the broader community. She serves as the Board President of the South Sound CARE Foundation and is an active volunteer and auction emcee for The Coffee Oasis. She has contributed her leadership and voice to organizations, including the Puyallup Tribe of Indians’ Salish Cancer Center and the Washington State Fair Foundation. Her work is rooted in a deep belief in engaging others to create meaningful change, particularly for vulnerable youth and families.

Mary spent over 30 years in the automotive industry and made history as the first—and, to date, only—female president of the Washington State Auto Dealers Association in more than a century. She and her husband, Kevin, will celebrate 40 years of marriage in 2026 and are proud parents of two Bellarmine graduates, James B’07 and Chase B’14.

In recognition of her unwavering commitment to service, leadership, and the Bellarmine mission, we are delighted to honor Mary Byrne as the recipient of the 2026 Saint Robert Bellarmine Award.

The Saint Robert Bellarmine Award, the school’s highest honor, is bestowed upon individuals of distinction who have made remarkable contributions to the school and broader community – reflecting the very essence of Bellarmine's mission. As the school’s highest honor, it is awarded annually at the Gala.

We invite you to join us on Saturday, February 28, to cheer on Mary as she receives this esteemed recognition. Let's celebrate together!

For more details about the Bellarmine Gala, click here.