Mary Fiance
Vice President, Strategic Communications
Muscular Dystrophy Association
Mary Fiance has over two decades of experience in nonprofit public relations and development, and has served as the National Vice President of Strategic Communications at the Muscular Dystrophy Association (MDA) since 2018. Her leadership of the organization’s campaigns and messaging have built MDA as the nation’s most innovative philanthropic investor in neuromuscular disease research and treatments for muscular dystrophies, including breakthrough in Duchenne muscular dystrophy, ALS (aka Lou Gehrig’s disease) and many other muscle disorders. She’s credited with successfully establishing a communications strategy and transitioning the voice of MDA back to the community. Among the campaigns that have benefited from her approach include the 2023 #AccessibleAirTravel Campaign, run in partnership with MDA’s Advocacy Team, which contributed to a major outcome: an FAA commitment to making lavatories on planes accessible to people with disabilities. With the Dutch Bros #DrinkOneForDane campaign, Mary’s strategy for engagement with families and medical professionals for a leading partner in funding ALS led to doubling millions of dollars in revenue (from $1.3 million in 2018 to $2.5 million in 2023). She is also recognized for the launch of MDA Let's Play, a gaming program in partnership with Microsoft, which has grown by over 2,000 participants and over 3 million viewers participating worldwide.
Career Highlights
Secured hundreds of placements in top consumer and health media outlets for MDA, including coverage in National Public Radio, The Lancet, Fortune, Time, The New York Times, Newsweek, 60 Minutes and more
The Dutch Bros #DrinkOneForDane campaign has raised over $10 million for the organization’s mission to end ALS
Played a pivotal role in managing the prestigious annual MDA Clinical and Scientific Conference
Collaborated with jazz legend Wynton Marsalis to transform Jazz at Lincoln Center from a concert series into a global arts organization
Serves on the advisory board and gala committee for the organization FamilyKind
