Mary McClelland

Mary McClelland is the director of communications at ELPC, a position she has held since 2018. In this role she leads marketing and communications strategies to drive impact on ELPC’s campaigns across the Midwest. Mary has spent over two decades in issue advocacy having worked across the sector to address the pervasive issue of money in politics, grow the pie of participation in our democracy, and improve our public school system to work for the many. Prior to ELPC, she was the national marketing and communications director with Stand for Children, a multi-state education advocacy organization, where she led communications planning across 11 states, and beforehand in Illinois, as their state communications director. Prior to Stand, she was the director of interactive media and deputy political director – field operations for Rock the Vote.

WHAT’S A PLACE YOU LOVE IN THE MIDWEST?

There are so many places I could list, but to pick one it would be Charlevoix, Michigan (tip of the ring finger on the hand map). It sits on three lakes, has great hiking, people, and landscape.

WHAT DRIVES YOU TO DO THIS WORK?

I believe in the power of people to make positive change. The seemingly David vs. Goliath approach of strong, smart, strategic advocates who push for progress and challenge the status quo to be better, that’s where the magic happens and people’s lives change for the better.