About Mary Dunbar

What’s Different About Mary Dunbar, Candidate for Cleveland Heights City Council, 2011

  • Long-term Commitment.  I moved to Cleveland Heights in 1970 and have lived here continuously since.  I ran for Cleveland Heights City Council in 2009, and came so close to winning that I had to run again.  From PTA to supporting many worthy community organizations, I’ve been involved in our City for decades.
  • Relevant Background.  Thanks to taking advantage of educational opportunities and extensive experience gained in communications, marketing, management, finance and ethics, I can help make our community’s strengths and attractions better recognized and keep our city government sound and efficient.
  • Forward-looking, Practical and Focused.  While our City certainly has to deal with day-to-day issues, we also need to set the stage for a bright future.  As we maintain this delightful city we live in, we must focus on charting a course to what we want to be in the years ahead.  I will dedicate myself to moving the City forward as a vibrant, attractive community.  I believe that we can become recognized nationally as an exceptionally well-run city where residents can achieve American dreams of accomplishment, including enjoying the best lifestyles.

Benefits of Electing Mary Dunbar to City Council

  • As an experienced business person with financial and communications expertise, I can help ensure that Cleveland Heights continues to deliver outstanding city services in a financially sound manner.
  • I can help the city develop and implement forward-looking strategic action plans that capitalize on strengths and create a sustainable future for our City as a healthy active community.
  • I will promote preservation and improvements of our coveted homes, walkable neighborhoods and popular commercial areas.
  • I will support collaboration with our school district for mutual benefit.
  • I am energetic and can dedicate full time to public service.

Education

  • B.A., English Literature, Smith College, Northampton, Massachusetts
  • M.A., Mass Communications, Stanford University, Stanford, California
  • M.B.A., Finance and General Management, Weatherhead School of Management, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, Ohio
  • Certificates of Director Education, National Association of Corporate Directors, Washington, D.C., and Kellogg School of Management, Northwestern University, Evanston, Illinois
  • Alumna, Civic Leadership Institute, Cleveland Leadership Center, Cleveland, Ohio

Select Experience

  • Cleveland Heights resident since 1970.
  • Co-Founder (2010) and Executive Committee Member, Cleveland Heights Bicycle Coalition, dedicated to encouraging people to jump on their bikes and ride for most of their trips around town.
  • Author of application for Shaker Farm Historic District of Cleveland Heights to be listed on the National Register of Historic Places (approval pending).  2010-present.
  • Member, County Transition Team’s “Code of Ethics Work Group”, which has developed and worked tirelessly for an effective ethics code for the new Cuyahoga County Government.  2010-ongoing.
  • Member, President’s Council, Smith College, which meets twice a year in various cities for discussion of college strategies with President Carol Christ.  Board member, local Smith alumnae club.  2009-present.
  • Marketing Committee Member, United Way of Greater Cleveland.  2008-present.
  • President, Fairfax PTA.  During my term, enabled a reinvigorated assembly program and improvements that made the playing field usable.
  • Member, St. Paul’s Episcopal Church, Heights Community Congress, Shaker Lakes Nature Center, Home Repair Resource Center, Heights Arts, Future Heights and more.
  • Peace Corps Volunteer for two years in West Cameroon, West Africa.  My students at a Roman Catholic boarding high school for boys achieved by far the highest pass rates on international examinations in chemistry and English in the country’s history.
  • Senior Vice President, Dix & Eaton.  Retired after 20 years with the firm. Assisted a wide range of public and private company clients in many industries with financial communications, marketing communications, crisis communications, community relations, media relations and public relations.  Previously helped promote Ohio’s Thomas Edison Program to foster entrepreneurship and new business in this state.
  • Former board member of the Cleveland Education Fund, Cleveland Scholarship Program and Cleveland Council of World Affairs.
  • Former Board member and Chairman of the Board of the National Investor Relations Institute, a 4,300-member (at the time) association supporting professional development, high ethical standards and transparency.  During term as Chairman, oversaw NIRI’s first-ever internal audit and implementation of corporate governance charters, internal controls and whistleblower policies.  Also led search for a new CEO.

Family

  • Husband, Rob, is a professor of chemistry at Case Western Reserve University.  Two grown sons live with their families in Hanover, New Hampshire and Yokohama, Japan.