Maryland Chamber of Commerce Announces Mary D. Kane as President and CEO

ANNAPOLIS, Md. — The Maryland Chamber of Commerce, Maryland’s only statewide business advocacy organization, is pleased to announce its board of directors has appointed Mary D. Kane as President and Chief Executive Officer. She officially stepped into this role on October 11, 2021.

Kane has an extensive background in leading state, federal and global organizations, most recently at the U.S. State Department as Director of the National Museum of American Diplomacy. An attorney, she also served as Secretary of State in Maryland from 2003-2007 and as Executive Director at the U.S. Chamber of Commerce from 2008-2011.

“When the search committee began the process to select the next CEO of the Maryland Chamber, we agreed that our primary goal was to identify a candidate that was most qualified to continue to move the Chamber forward as the leading voice for business in Maryland,” said Maryland Chamber of Commerce Chairman Gracelyn McDermott, vice president, Marketing, Sales & Business Development, Kaiser Permanente of the Mid-Atlantic States. “Mary’s appointment will round out what is already a stellar team of professionals who are committed to ensuring that the Maryland Chamber is the premier business advocacy organization in Maryland.”

“I am honored and excited to lead the Maryland Chamber of Commerce at this critical time,” said Kane. “The pandemic has reminded us of the importance of our community, the need for strategic thinking and the courage to pivot when the need arises. With the support of the Chamber’s impressive Board, talented team of professionals and outstanding members, I look forward to strengthening the Chamber’s position as the leading voice for business in Maryland.”

During her tenure leading the National Museum of American Diplomacy, Kane repositioned the organization by successfully fundraising $7M and lobbying Congress to re-name and re-brand the museum to increase its public profile and interest in the history and significance of the U.S. State Department.

Kane also served as Chair of the Board of Trustees of Mount St. Mary’s University from 2016-2021, and as President and CEO of Sister Cities International from 2011-2017, the national membership organization for individual sister cities, counties and states across the United States that promotes diplomacy and volunteerism through partnerships in more than 140 countries.

###