MARY-KATE O’LEARY

MA VICE PRESIDENT OF PHILANTHROPY & PUBLIC RELATIONS

Mary-Kate was born and raised in Worcester Massachusetts. She received a BA in Criminal Justice from the University of Lowell where she had a full scholarship playing basketball. She has a MA in Counseling Psychology and a Certificate in Fundraising Management from Indiana University. She began her career as a direct care worker in a group home working with adolescent girls. In the 90’s she was a Clinical Director, Director of Admissions and Quality Management Administrator at St. Vincent’s Home in Fall River Mass. Her career accelerated when she was recruited to work for the famous Father Flanagan’s Boys Town in Omaha Nebraska. She consulted to CEO’s across the country and then was appointed to be the CEO of the Boys Town, Orlando Campus. Mary-Kate focused much of her time here with fundraising and public relations. Her major success was getting Walt Disney World and other large corporate sponsors to help build new buildings and create the largest campus outside of Nebraska.

After nine years, Mary-Kate was recruited to Phoenix Arizona to become the CEO of a homeless shelter and then later transitioned to Louisville Kentucky where she worked as the Senior Vice President of Community Impact for United Way. She was once again recruited to be the CEO for a large nonprofit in Kentucky where her success was focused on the largest merger of two nonprofits in Kentucky. There, she was able to engage corporate giving through Yum Brands, General Electric, Long John Silvers, Papa Johns and UPS. Mary-Kate moved back to New England in 2014 to be closer to family.   She worked for an organization serving adults with disabilities but missed her love for working with children and families. Mary-Kate began consulting at Tides Family Services in 2016. Her experience and understanding of programs, business strategy, advocacy and fundraising makes her an excellent team member that can help us continue to grow.   Mary-Kate lives in East Providence and enjoys golf, horseback riding and reading.