Mary Kadera

Mary Kadera has a diverse work experience spanning over several years. Mary has held various roles in different organizations, contributing to the field of education and social change.

Starting in 1992, Mary worked as a teacher at John Handley High School in Winchester Public Schools. Mary taught English, Creative Writing, and Biology and was actively involved in supporting student activities such as sponsoring the Class of 1996 and the Young Democrats.

In 1997, Mary moved to Albemarle County Public Schools, where they continued their teaching career as a teacher at Albemarle High School.

In 1998, Mary transitioned to the Public Broadcasting Service (PBS) where they held multiple roles over the years. From 1998 to 1999, they worked as an Education Producer, contributing to educational programming. Mary then served as Assistant Director of PBS TeacherSource from 1999 to 2002 and later became the Director of PBS TeacherSource from 2002 to 2005. Following that, they assumed the role of Vice President of Education, leading the strategic development of PBS's educational services.

In 2018, Mary became the Interim Executive Director at the Center for Inspired Teaching, overseeing programs and initiatives aimed at developing highly engaged teachers in the Washington, DC area.

From 2020 to 2022, Mary worked at TED Conferences, first as a Contributor, providing editorial support for corporate learning content. Mary also led a team in conceptualizing a new offering for lifelong learning. Later, they served as the Director of TED Courses, where they planned, launched, and managed a new line of business, focusing on online courses featuring TED speakers.

In 2022, Mary joined Arlington Public Schools as a School Board Member, contributing to the educational policies and decision-making process.

Most recently, in 2023, Mary took on the role of Senior Director of Strategic Program Initiatives at The Jed Foundation (JED). Mary is responsible for strengthening and expanding JED's programs for high schools, colleges, and universities, with the aim of protecting emotional health and preventing suicide among young people during the critical transition from adolescence to adulthood.

Throughout their career, Mary has also owned their own consulting business, working with various nonprofits, media companies, and schools to create positive social change. Their clients included PBS, TED, and TED-Ed, among others. Mary engaged in a wide range of activities, such as strategy development, market research, event planning, and grant writing.

Overall, Mary Kadera has a broad range of experience in the education sector, with a particular focus on program development, leadership, and strategic initiatives.

Mary Kadera pursued their education at the University of Virginia, where they obtained a Master's degree in American Studies from 1996 to 1997. Prior to that, they attended William & Mary from 1987 to 1992, earning their Bachelor's degree in English and Biology. During their time at William & Mary, they achieved the honors of Phi Beta Kappa and Summa Cum Laude. Furthermore, they obtained a certification in "Confronting Bias: Thriving Across Our Differences" from LinkedIn in August 2020.