Nicki Parisi

Businesswoman/Philanthropist

San José State University

Nicki Parisi is the chief financial officer of Therma Corporation, which she founded with her husband, Joseph, in 1967. Today, Therma Corporation is a renowned mechanical contractor serving commercial, industrial and biomedical concerns in Northern California. The entrepreneurial and philanthropic spirit that Nicki Parisi has demonstrated embodies the ideals of the California State University.

Nicki Parisi comes from three generations in the plumbing and mechanical contracting businesses. In 1968, she developed a computerized accounting system to track Therma's customer requirements and provide necessary documentation for corporations that has become enviable in the industry. Named Citizens of the Year by the Santa Clara County Province of Florence Sister County Commission, she and her husband were honored for their work in building Therma into a leading Heating, Ventilation and Air Conditioning company in Silicon Valley, as well as for their charitable work. In addition to her innovation at Therma, Nicki Parisi is a founding member of The Doves Club, the California chapter of Las Palomas, an organization dedicated to inspiring women to participate with local charities through leadership, volunteerism and giving. She and her husband have taken leadership roles in fundraising for many local organizations, including the United Way Silicon Valley, the American Cancer Society, Valley Medical Center Foundation, House on the Hill, March of Dimes, Arthritis Foundation, National Kidney Foundation and the American Heart Association.

In recognition of her outstanding professional accomplishments and philanthropic leadership, the Board of Trustees of the California State University and San José State University are proud to confer upon Nicki Parisi the honorary degree of Doctor of Humane Letters.