Mary Murray has dedicated her career to improving conditions for children, youth and families by improving the schools and community-based organizations that serve them. With a Bachelor’s in psychology from Haverford College, Mary was accepted into Teach for America, an organization that addresses the inequities facing children growing up in low-income areas by providing them with excellent teachers. She later earned a Master’s Degree in Community & Prevention Research at the University of Illinois. Mary then joined the Illinois Violence Prevention Authority, where she created and managed systems of capacity-building to over 500 grantees, including school districts, law enforcement agencies, and community-based agencies working to prevent youth and family violence.
 
Noting a growing interest in evaluation in the non-profit sector, coupled with a shortage of qualified evaluators serving grass-roots organizations, Mary founded MEMconsultants in 2001 to provide affordable consulting services that empower community-based organizations with the evaluation tools, skills and habits that strengthen programs.