Mary Lou Burke Afonso, a 25-year veteran of Bright Horizons, is responsible for overseeing the operational leadership and management of all North America-based child care centers and schools.

The working mother of two daughters, both graduates of Bright Horizons early education and preschool, Mary Lou has the distinction of leading more areas of the company that any other employee. She has held a variety of leadership oversight positions in Finance, Center Operations, Business Operations, Client Relations, and College Coach. She has served as the company’s Controller and worked on the integration of milestone acquisitions in Europe and in back-up care.

Mary Lou has a special interest in growing and developing young women leaders and a dedication to professional recognition for early educators and the work they do. She is a graduate of Boston College and the Boston College School of Management and is also a CPA.