Mary Graham is the founder of Mary Graham Consulting, a strategic planning consulting firm focused on helping communities, non-profit, and development organizations. Graham founded the firm followed a 35+ year career in the economic development and chamber of commerce industry.
Graham served as the Chief Strategy Officer for the Charleston Metro Chamber of Commerce. She worked for the Chamber for 29 years in various capacities and help lead the Chamber and community through Base Realignment and Closure efforts in 1993 and 2005. Throughout her career, Graham has worked with public officials at the federal, state, and local levels and business leaders in the development and implementation of strategies to address economic growth and facilitate job creation. Additionally, Graham’s expertise includes analysis and interpretation of regional and local economic data and policy analysis. She has been a strong advocate for the military and military families throughout her career.
Graham currently serves as a member of the United States Air Force Civic Leader program. The program is comprised of two dozen civic leaders who serve as advocates for the Air Force and report directly to the Secretary and Chief of Staff.
Graham is also a member of the South Carolina Military Base Task Force Executive Committee. She was appointed to the Charleston At-Large seat in 2019.
In 2017, she received the Air Force Commander’s Public Service Award for her years of distinguished service to Joint Base Charleston and the US Air Force.
She recently joined the Board of Directors of Trident Technical College Foundation.
Graham holds a Bachelor of Economics from Converse College and is nationally certified by both C2ER (The Council of Community and Economic Research) and the Association of Chamber of Commerce Executives.
A native of Sumter, SC, Graham resides in Mt. Pleasant, SC, and is married to US Ambassador (retired) Thomas Carter.