Mary joined Burness in 2000, bringing a mix of experience in journalism, publishing, consulting and public relations. Over the years, she has developed expertise in a number of areas, including health policy and health policy research, social determinants of health, vulnerable populations, criminal justice and health care, health care disparities and inequalities, oral health and oral health policy, health information technology, and financial inequality. She is a high-level writer who is skilled at message development and training, media outreach and strategy, and project management.

For four years, Mary worked as an independent consultant, providing writing and editorial services for a variety of health care organizations. A former newspaper reporter, she also worked as a press secretary on Capitol Hill and as a managing editor at two health care publishing companies. Mary earned her B.A. from Trinity College in Hartford, Connecticut.