Mary Z. Connaughton to Speak at Rotary

Mary Z Connaughton is the Director of Government Transparency and the Director of Finance and Administration for the Pioneer Institute.  Her subject will be on the T and its struggles and recent improvements along with the general topic of government transparency in Massachusetts.

The Pioneer Institute is an independent non-partisan, privately funded research organization that seeks to improve the quality of life in Massachusetts through civic discourse and intellectually rigorous, data-driven public policy solutions based on free market principles, individual liberty and responsibility, and the ideal of effective, limited and accountable government.  By producing research  almost exclusively through outside experts, Pioneer ensures credibility, remaining focused on what it does best—developing a strategic research and programs agenda for issues it believes in.  They are a resource for legislators on Beacon Hill and for staff in the State’s executive offices, and attracts more press than any other research institute in Massachusetts.  It does not accept government grants  nor is it attached to a university and does not perform contract research.  It is only supported by individuals and foundations that that believes it’s mission.

Prior to joining Pioneer, Mary was a partner in the business development firm of Ascentage Group. Her professional experience includes being an accounting instructor at Framingham State University and a senior manager on the audit staff at Ernst & Young.  In 2005, Mary was appointed by Governor Mitt Romney to the Board of the Massachusetts Turnpike Authority where she was a frequent radio and TV guest to discuss issues pertaining to the Turnpike.  In 2010, she ran for the position of Massachusetts State Auditor replacing the retiring Joe DeNucci.  In spite of being endorsed as a Republican by the Boston Globe, the Boston Herald, the three major TV networks, Margery Eagan and Jim Braude, she narrowly lost to Democrat Suzanne Bump in the general election.

Mary has been the Chief Financial Officer of the Massachusetts Lottery and served in the Treasurer’s office.  She was a member of the Massachusetts  Commission on Judicial Conduct and on the Board of Directors of Commonwealth Corporation.  Mary earned her MBA from Assumption College and is a member of Massachusetts Society of Certified Public Accountants.

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