Mary Hayes, Development Director

Mary has worked in the non-profit development and finance sector for the past decade. She is proud to have led development teams across the arts and culture & public health sectors, serving organizations such as the Museum of Design Atlanta, the Collective Museum (NYC), and the National Alliance on Mental Illness, GA. Mary’s background also includes time in the small-business and investment finance sector, where she gained knowledge of tax code and strengthened the relationship-building skills that shape her approach to development work today. She holds advanced degrees from New York University, the Wharton School, Harvard University, and the University of Maryland – and is a certified Six Sigma Black Belt.

A South Florida native, Mary grew up in the shadow of the Everglades, where public lands shaped her earliest ideas about community, justice, and belonging. That connection to wild places continues to guide her work and fuels her passion for helping people meaningfully engage with America’s natural resources. In her free time, Mary loves hiking with her dog, Mickey, and going birding. Two passions that continually remind her of the importance of preserving our wild places.