Mary, an award-winning writer and editor, is a leader on GDP’s editorial team. She spearheaded the conceptualization and execution of the redesign of National Geographic, and has helped companies like Nike, Lyft, and Microsoft create editorial strategies and tell journalistic stories. Mary is the co-creator and co-host of GDP’s first original podcast, Riveted, which deconstructs the art of great storytelling. She’s also a correspondent on WorkLab, the podcast GDP produces with Microsoft about the future of work. In 2018, she oversaw the launch of Majordomo Media, GDP’s partnership with chef David Chang; Apple named Majordomo’s first production, The Dave Chang Show, one of the top 10 podcasts of the year.
Under her leadership as editor in chief of Los Angeles, the magazine was nominated for 12 National Magazine Awards and won three (General Excellence, Feature Writing, and Personal Service—the first wins in the magazine’s 50-year history). The publication also picked up three James Beard Foundation Awards for its food and wine reporting.
In addition, Mary served as VP/editorial director for Emmis Publishing, overseeing Los Angeles and the editorial direction, redesigns, and digital relaunches of Texas Monthly, Atlanta, Cincinnati, Indianapolis, and Orange Coast magazines.
Mary continues to live in L.A. and is a third-generation graduate of Hollywood High School. Her interests include theater (she performed on four tours in seven cities for Pop-Up Magazine), architecture (she won the 2010 PEN Center USA Literary Journalism Award for her profile of photographer Julius Shulman), and travel (she’s an avid railfan).