Mary Chance serves as president for the Consortium of Florida Education Foundations (CFEF), the membership organization established in 1987 to develop the capacity and resources of Florida’s local education foundations in partnership with key stakeholders. Currently, the Consortium represents 62 county-wide education foundations that raise more than $63 million annually for targeted initiatives to increase student achievement.

Mary has held this position for more than nine years after serving as the executive director of a member foundation (Alachua) for 10 years, diversifying the scope of work for that foundation significantly and increasing annual revenue from $100,000 to $1.2 M.

Mary currently serves as an ex officio board member of the Florida Education Foundation (the Florida Department of Education’s foundation), is on the advisory council for Center for Educational Performance & Accountability Committee of Florida Tax Watch and is a state affiliate leader of the National Schools Foundation Association.  Mary also participated in Leadership Florida’s first education-focused leadership class.

Mary’s previous experience includes 12 years in public relations and marketing in the agency and healthcare sectors. An Honors Program graduate of Florida State University with a co-major in English and Business and a graduate of the University of Florida with a master’s degree in public relations, Mary is a product of 18 years of education in Florida’s public schools. Her three children are recent graduates of Florida public schools and are now continuing their education in college and professional programs.