Mary McKinley

Mary McKinley is a visionary professional known for her innovative projects that tackle public policy challenges head-on. Her work involves uniting individuals across different sectors to devise and commit to strategies aimed at resolving critical societal issues. Some of her notable endeavors include addressing new foreign policy concerns, revamping the US electoral system, establishing an information-sharing network for national security, and enhancing higher education for Americans.

With a firm belief in the power of collaboration across diverse sectors, Mary specializes in project launch, fundraising, project development, organizational strategy, institution-building, dialogue and deliberation, funder relations, proposal writing, staff development and management, as well as navigating transitions and institutional change. Her expertise stems from drawing insights from business, nonprofit organizations, government entities, and individual endeavors.

Mary McKinley pursued her academic interests by obtaining a Bachelor of Arts degree in Political Science from the University of Minnesota-Twin Cities and furthering her studies at Budapest University of Economics. Throughout her career, Mary held various impactful roles in organizations such as Heartland Democracy, The Minneapolis Foundation, Fourth Generation Fund, The White House Project, Mind on the Media, Let's Talk America, Utne Institute, Markle Foundation, Miller Center of Public Affairs at the University of Virginia, The Aspen Institute, Open Society Institute, and Democracy After Communism Foundation.