Her Story
About Mary
I help people learn how money works so they can make better financial decisions. I started doing this back in 2010 when I retired from IBM, where I had an incredible career working internationally. At IBM, I helped the Federal Reserve teach computers how to read the amount on checks, which I think made a nice impact on society. Before IBM, I started out in the 70s teaching art because my degree was in fine arts education with a minor in technology. I went on to teach chemistry, biology, math, and computer science, and even started a computer science degree program at a community college. In 1983, I got my master's degree in AI, and people are always surprised to learn that AI has been around that long. When I retired from IBM, I thought I really need to keep helping people, but in a different way. A lot of people don't know how money works, so they make bad financial decisions, or no decision at all. We teach the 7 money milestones, and it's very rewarding to help somebody young get out of debt, buy a house, things like that. My typical day involves keeping up with everything that's going on so I can reassure clients that their financial decisions aren't necessarily impacted by world events, contacting current clients to make sure they're staying on board with their goals, and reaching out to new people through networking and building relationships.
Her Interview
Ten minutes with Mary
01What do you attribute your success to?
I think it is the fact that I love to learn new things. I like to explore and encounter new things and help people. Throughout my career, whether I was working internationally at IBM helping companies all over the world or now helping people to learn about money, so they make good financial decisions. It's always been about working with people directly. I've always been passionate about reaching out to different cultures and helping them understand what they're doing right, what they need to improve on, and how to go about doing that. That curiosity and desire to keep learning and growing has carried me through every phase of my career.
02What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
Reach out to people about how money works, but let them do the talking. The more they talk, the more you learn about them. And the more you know about them, then you can help guide them to making better decisions. It's really about listening first and understanding who they are before you try to help them.
03What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?
I need to meet more people so that I can help more people. It's really about expanding my reach and building more relationships so I can guide more individuals to make better financial decisions. The opportunity is connecting with people wherever I can, whether that's at meetings with 100 people or through one-on-one conversations, to help them understand what I do so they can refer somebody who might need my help.
04What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
In my work and personal life, it's just being real. Helping people wherever I can matters most to me. Whether I'm working with clients on their financial decisions or in my personal relationships, authenticity and being there to support others is what drives me.
Keep Exploring
More Influential Women · Washington
Join Influential Women and start making an impact. Register now.