Mary is a principal research associate in the Metropolitan Housing and Communities Policy Center at the Urban Institute and one of the leaders of the Urban-Greater DC research initiative.
Her research focuses on policies and place-conscious interventions that help low-income parents overcome the economic, equity, and mental health challenges that often interfere with their efforts to create healthy, productive, and protective environments for their children.
Her work often explores outcomes concerning economic stability and mobility for families and children of color, especially outcomes produced at the intersection of household autonomy, strong social networks, and equitable economic development in disinvested neighborhoods.
Mary worked with the Aspen Institute, 11th Street Bridge Park; the Love Your Block mini-grant program, for the purpose of neighborhood beautification and revitalization.
