SXU Welcomes Two New Members to Board of Trustees
Saint Xavier University (SXU) is proud to welcome two new members to its Board of Trustees. The Board of Trustees guides Saint Xavier University's shared leadership vision to ensure a financially sustainable institution that prepares students for successful careers driven by purpose.
Saint Xavier University alumna Michelle Tourtillott '12 brings a compelling combination of professional distinction, alumni leadership, and deep mission alignment to Board service. A former SXU women's basketball student-athlete, Tourtillott earned her bachelor's degree in political science with a minor in Spanish and credits SXU faculty mentorship with helping launch her legal career.
Tourtillott's early legal experience included work with Barack Ferrazzano Kirschbaum & Nagelberg LLP, the NCAA Office of Legal Affairs, USA Football, and the Indiana Gaming Commission while earning her J.D. from Indiana University Robert H. McKinney School of Law. She is now a partner at Neal & McDevitt, LLC, where she practices in intellectual property law.
Her continued engagement with Saint Xavier reflects a strong commitment to the University community that shaped her Cougar experience. Tourtillott provides recurring support to the women's basketball program and remains connected through alumni leadership and campus engagement. In 2026, she assumed the role of President of the SXU National Alumni Board, where she is working to strengthen the board's visibility and impact as a board of action.
Her legal expertise, alumni leadership, student-athlete experience, and demonstrated commitment to SXU make her a strong contributor to the Board of Trustees.
SXU alum Jose Garcia '91 brings distinguished executive leadership, financial expertise, community service, and a longstanding commitment to the Mercy mission to his Board service. A graduate of SXU’s accounting program, Garcia has built an accomplished career in financial services and currently serves as president and CEO of Northwest Community Credit Union.
Garcia's career reflects significant leadership in finance, operations, and community-centered banking. He became CEO of Caballeros De San Juan Credit Union at age 29 and has since held senior financial leadership roles across several institutions. At Northwest Community Credit Union, he has expanded access to financial services and advanced support for diverse communities.
Garcia remains deeply engaged with Saint Xavier through Northwest Community Credit Union's student-run branch in the Graham School of Management, which provides students with hands-on experience in financial literacy, marketing, social media, and operations. He also serves on the Graham School of Management Business Advisory Council, the President's Advisory Board, and the Golf Classic Committee, and he previously served on the SXU National Alumni Board of Directors.
His executive experience, financial acumen, nonprofit board service, commitment to underserved communities, and sustained engagement with Saint Xavier position him as a valuable member of the Board of Trustees.
SXU President Keith Elder, Ph.D., Saint Xavier leadership, and the Board of Trustees look forward to collaborating with Tourtillott and Garcia on their work in ensuring Saint Xavier University will be the thriving Catholic, Mercy university on Chicago's South Side.