Mary has been working to improve outcomes and opportunities for children and families for most of her career. After completing her Masters of Science in Public Health (Maternal and Child Health) at UNC- Chapel, she worked in research, international, school, community and state nonprofit settings. In the past ten years, my focus has been promoting collaboration and improving systems so that every child can flourish and reach their full potential.
In January, I started a new role as Director of Advocacy at an early literacy focused non-profit called Book Harvest whose dream to is to provide books for every child, support for every parent, and literacy for every community. We want to support every child in becoming a lifelong reader and learning, starting from birth, with parents and access to abundant and culturally inclusive home libraries.
Prior to this position, I worked as the Collaboration and Policy Leader at the NC Early Childhood Foundation. Before that, I led partnerships and program development for a local, place-based nonprofit focused on advancing equity and opportunity for children and families from cradle to college or career. In my spare time, I enjoy art, spending time with friends and family, gardening, reading, and being out in nature.