Nancy Utley
American
Northwestern University Medill School of Journalism
Film production and distribution
Academy of Motion Pictures Arts and Sciences Board of Governors
Early life and education[edit]
Utley grew up outside of Chicago in Glen Ellyn, Illinois.[4] She attended Glenbard West High School and graduated in 1973.[5]
After graduating high school, Utley attended the Medill School of Journalism at Northwestern University to pursue a career in reporting, graduating with a Bachelor’s Degree in Journalism in 1977 and a Master’s Degree in Journalism in 1978.[6] Utley was part of the Xi chapter of the Chi Omega sorority at Northwestern.[4]
Utley originally desired to pursue journalism as a career, but cites an undergraduate advertising class as sparking a curiosity in the business of marketing.[7] She then concentrated in advertising at graduate school.[7]
Personal life[edit]
As of April 2023, Utley is married to character actor Raymond Fitzpatrick.[20] She has three daughters, Hannah, Emma, and Mia, as well as four stepchildren, Jesse Jacobs and Abra Goldemberg whom she shared with her late husband, John Jacobs.[21][22] as well as two stepchildren, John Fitzpatrick and Katy Fitzpatrick, with her current husband.
Utley is the sister of Tim Derk, the creator and original performer of the San Antonio Spurs Coyote Mascot. Derk is a recipient of the Lifetime Achievement Award from the NBA Hall of Fame and author of Hi Mom, Send Sheep: My Life as the Coyote and After[23] Utley is also the sister of MetroNet executive James Derk
Utley herself was diagnosed with Lupus in 1991, inspiring and guiding her work with Lupus L.A.[19]