Mary is a sixth-generation Floridian, born and raised in Alachua County along with her eight brothers and sisters. She graduated from PK Yonge Laboratory School then went on to further her studies at Santa Fe College and at the University of Florida where she graduated third in her class with her Masters in Environmental Engineering and concentrations in Urban and Regional Planning.
Before she was elected to the Alachua County Commission in 2020, after many years of volunteering in the community, she served on the Alachua County Environmental Protection Advisory Board, the City of Gainesville Utility Advisory Board and the Alachua County Code Enforcement Board. She has also served on the board of several local non-profit organizations, including Florida Defenders of the Environment, the Cultural Arts Coalition, and the United Way of North Central Florida.
Mary’s tenure in the field of environmental policy in her region and across the State of Florida has given her recognition as an expert in sustainability which has led her to lead significant conferences and presentations like Tedx, PechaKucha, as well as in various local governments and boards. Other notable positions include: President (LEED for Homes Chair) of the U.S. Green Building Council (Heart of Florida Chapter), Member of the NAACP’s Environmental and Climate Justice Committee, as well as a board member for the Sequential Artists Workshop.
