Earlier this year, Notre Dame President Dr. Tom Kiely announced that he would be retiring at the end of the academic year, leaving a vacancy in his chair. On April 23, 2025, the public learned of his successor: Mrs. Amy Ott. 

Mrs. Ott has been involved with executive leadership roles for the last 25 years, including spending the last decade as the president of Boylan High School in Rockford, Illinois, the same school from which she received her high school education.

Ott said that she feels very comfortable with the move and embarking on a new chapter of her career. 

“We come into organizations such as these that really represent our communities. Sometimes it’s time for the next person to stand on your shoulders and move forward,” she commented.  

She first heard about the job opening at NDA through an email she received. She told her husband of 28 years, Clint, about it and began doing some research about NDA and what it stands for. 

“Hey, this is a really nice-looking email about this opening,” said Ott. “I love everything NDA stands for with its faith, vision and values. I can help be a part of this wonderful community.”

Admittedly, Ott loves to work, but that doesn’t mean she does not enjoy spending time with her family. She is the oldest of five and has two sons. Whenever she has time, she loves swinging a golf club and being out on a boat. Her sisters are boaters. 

She values relationships, for a repeated response when asked about what she is most looking forward to was “getting to learn people.”

“Each community is unique. I am looking forward to getting to learn the community,” stated Ott. “I am looking forward to getting to immerse myself in the community and getting to know people.”

Getting to know people and keep relationships means having a strong alumni base, something that is very important to Ott, and something she worked hard to build up while at Boylan. 

“How do we get the ground going for that alumni base?” said Ott. “One thing that I think is really special is when a student graduates from your school and they choose the vocation of teaching and then come back to NDA.”

Another trait that Ott values is mentorship, helping mold young individuals into young adults who are ready to take on the world ahead of them. 

“Listen more, talk less,” said Ott when asked about mentorship. “We always want to share our stories but really need to hear theirs.”

She also has a very strong, Catholic background. All of her answers to any questions asked have the Catholic faith tied into it. 

“It’s always been a part of me. Our Catholic faith hasn’t changed; people change. I believe we need to be driving everything from our Catholic identity,” stated Ott. 

She concluded by saying she loves seeing the potential in young people and watching them grow. She also laid out a bit of a personal mission statement.

“Everyone gets so focused in their own area. Open that broad spectrum and see the organization as a whole and see how it works together.”

Dr. Kiely served as president during one of the most unique periods in world history, and now Mrs. Ott will be the next in line to “stand on his shoulders” and lead NDA into its next era.