Mary Ehrsam

President, HOPE Partnerships, Operation HOPE

For over three decades, Mary Ehrsam has served as a leader in economic equity and financial dignity, working to drive $300 million in investments into underserved, low-wealth communities worldwide. As President of HOPE Partnerships at Operation HOPE, she leads the cultivation of revenue streams and avenues for growth and sustainability while furthering the organization’s overall mission. Mary is responsible for structuring strategic partnership opportunities, overseeing partner relations, and executing scalability and sustainability strategies.

Before joining Operation HOPE, Mary began her career in strategic economic development and poverty alleviation by launching the Los Angeles affiliate of Habitat for Humanity — growing the organization from a $35,000 budget to $3.2 million, constructing 64 homes in partnership with recipient homeowners, and conducting the 1995 Jimmy Carter Work Project, which built 25 homes in five days.

Mary expanded her focus to comprehensive revitalization of underserved communities in 1997 as Vice President and Chief of Operations for Operation HOPE and is now a 28-year member of the HOPE legacy team. She developed and launched the HOPE youth programs, expanded the HOPE Inside model nationwide, and led the organization’s global expansion into South Africa and the Middle East. Working with the Global Dignity Co-Founders, Mary developed the foundational A Course in Dignity curriculum, which has since been delivered — in partnership with the World Economic Forum of Young Global Leaders — in 100 countries across four continents. She currently serves as Co-Chair of Financial Literacy for All (FL4A).

Mary earned her degree in economics from Gettysburg College, where she now serves on the Alumni Board and as Vice President of the Gettysburg Executive Board. She is also a Board Member for Art & Soul, a member of the Fifth Third Bank Community Advisory Forum, a Board Member of the BXS Community Capital Fund, LLC, and a member of the Northfork Art Collective.

Mary lives on Long Island with her husband, artist and designer Bradley Ehrsam.