Mark Leahey

As president and CEO of the Medical Device Manufacturers Association (MDMA), a leading national trade association representing hundreds of innovative and entrepreneurial medical technology companies in Washington, D.C., Mark acts as their voice and advocate on Capitol Hill.

Although Mark earned his JD from Georgetown University Law Center and his MBA from Georgetown University McDonough School of Business, he decided not to pursue a traditional law office job. Instead he began his career as a clerk in the DA and Attorney General’s office in Massachusetts and then worked on the Hill for a member of Congress in his home district.

A chance meeting with the chief of staff for a member of Congress revealed MDMA’s need for someone who could help on policy. Realizing it would be a great fit for his expertise and interests, he joined the organization and since then has helped it grow from 80 to nearly 300 member companies. Throughout his career, he has forged numerous collaborative relationships and notched a number of significant wins for favorable legislation that helps support the growth of the medtech industry as a whole, including leading a 10-year effort to repeal the medical device tax.

Inspired by Dr. Fogarty’s life-long dedication to improve patient care and the Fogarty’s team commitment to the industry and raising the next generation of innovators, he joined the board in 2019 to lend his expertise and insight. Like his fellow board members and others associated with Fogarty Innovation, he believes that challenges in policy are more easily addressed when diverse industry members partner and focus their efforts. He believes that smoothing the path, allowing creative companies to excel and enabling increased investment will lead to more options for patients and clinicians.