Kim Lupo '93: Finding Purpose, Giving With Gratitude

Kim Lupo ’93 Credits St. Mary’s with Changing Her Life, Marking Her Trajectory

In July 2025, Kim Lupo's ’93 assumed a new role in her inspiring career as the Vice President of Total Rewards and Associate Relations at General Motors. 

Previously, she oversaw compensation and benefits, mobility, immigration, people analytics, and HR as the SVP of Global Total Rewards at Walmart. 

As impressive as her resume is, Lupo’s pride in her work, passion for promoting the well-being of others, and gratitude for her life and for St. Mary’s are what make her truly remarkable.

In a 2023 St. Mary’s Chapel Talk, Lupo shared, “I know if I can help solve the big problems today at Walmart — pay equality, health equity, social equality — I can help create a blueprint for larger change.”

Lupo describes her leadership style as a blend of high expectations and kindness — a balance she attributes to her formative experiences at St. Mary’s.

“St. Mary’s asks so much of the students but also leans in and supports them. This is important to me as a leader. Setting high expectations in a kind and loving way is truly in service to bringing up the best in my team. All of this, I think, helps make and build great teams,” she said.

Lupo also credits a lesson she learned at St. Mary's for her personal and professional successes.

“I am really not kidding! The skills that we learned through mind-mapping in Ms. Judy Brundige’s class, changed my life,” she said. “It differentiated me in college. I was able to do more and take in more. It helped me to know how to think about things.”

Perhaps the lesson Lupo is most grateful for from St. Mary’s is finding her purpose. For her, finding clarity of purpose has shaped the way she makes decisions in her career, in her life, and in her relationships.

“Purpose is not a list of education, experience, or skills you have gathered in your life. Purpose springs from your identity — the essence of who you are,” she said. “St. Mary’s really does seem to help students find their purpose. That drives clarity in what is really important to you, what you believe in, what you stand up for.”

Lupo encourages today's students to pursue careers that resonate with their unique purpose. In her experience, this will bring peace, inspiration, and engagement to their life.

Inspired by her gratitude for St. Mary’s — for beloved teachers, classmates, and these invaluable life lessons — Lupo and her wife, Deb, made the decision to include St. Mary’s in their estate plans.

“I want to give to the place that gave me so much,” she said. “Through my estate planning, I have the ability to help other girls have the experience that I did and to give back for the amazing gifts the school gave me. I always thought we would leave the vast majority of our estate to nonprofit organizations, and I sincerely hope other alumnae will do the same.”

SECURE A LEGACY OF LEARNING

Including St. Mary’s in your estate plans is one of many ways you can ensure that today’s girls receive an unparalleled education. Your thoughtful gift empowers girls to discover their purpose and creates a lasting, positive impact on the school and its students beyond your lifetime. Learn more about planned giving or contact Carrie Vaughan, Director of Philanthropy at cvaughan@stmarysschool.org or 901-537-1424.