Mary Smith is a prominent attorney, independent board director, business executive, and trailblazing leader who served as President of the American Bar Association (ABA) from 2023–2024, becoming the first Native American woman to hold the role.

She currently serves on the boards of PTC Therapeutics, Inc. (NASDAQ: PTCT), a global biopharmaceutical company, and HAI Group, a leading insurer for the affordable housing industry, and is Vice Chair of the VENG Group, a national consulting firm. Previously, she served as Chief Executive Officer of the Indian Health Service, where she managed a $6 billion healthcare system of 25 hospitals serving 2.2 million Native Americans and Alaska Natives across the United States.

A dedicated public servant, Mary has served at the highest levels of government, both at the federal and state level. Mary served on the senior team of the Civil Division at the United States Department of Justice and was General Counsel at the Illinois Department of Insurance.   Earlier in her career, Mary served in the White House as Associate Counsel to the President and Associate Director of Policy Planning where she oversaw women’s policy initiatives.

In her private sector experience, she served in a senior role at Tyco International (US) Inc., a $40 billion public company, where she managed a $60 million budget.

In her civic activities, Mary is a member of the Council on Foreign Relations, the Economic Club of Chicago, C200, The Chicago Network, the Commercial Club of Chicago, the International Women’s Forum, and the National Association of Corporate Directors.

Mary founded and serves as President and Chair of a foundation named after her mother and grandmother, respectively, the Caroline and Ora Smith Foundation, to train Native American girls in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) (www.carolineorasmithfoundation.org).        

Mary has received numerous accolades, including recognition in Worth Groundbreaking Women (2025), Forbes' 50 Over 50 list (2024), and the ABA Spirit of Excellence Award.

Mary graduated from the University of Chicago School of Law, cum laude, and received a B.S. in mathematics and computer science, magna cum laude, from Loyola University Chicago.  Mary has received Honorary Doctor of Laws from Seattle University and Loyola University Chicago.