Mary Cullinane comes to Microsoft after being an educator for 10 years at a regional high school in the state of New Jersey. Throughout Ms. Cullinane’s career, she has been intrigued by the opportunity technology brings to enhance the teaching and learning process. In 1997, while the Director of Technology, her high school was one of the first in the nation to provide every student with a notebook computer. After leaving education, Mary helped to establish a start-up internet company focused on creating online learning communities for schools and districts.

In October of 2000 Mary Cullinane joined Microsoft Corporation. For the past ten years she has focused on driving innovative programs and initiatives including National Program Manager of the Anytime Anywhere Learning, creator of the Microsoft Innovation Center Awards, and National Manager of Microsoft’s K-12 marketing, programs and strategic investments.

In 2003, as a result of a partnership between the School District of Philadelphia and Microsoft Corporation, Ms. Cullinane accepted the position of School of the Future Technology Architect, responsible for driving the creation of a new high school in West Philadelphia. In February of 2006, Ms. Cullinane became the Director of the US Partners in Learning Program, responsible for over $35 million of investments in innovative programs around the United States and in 2008 became the United States Director of Innovation and Business Development for Microsoft Education Group. In February of 2010, Ms. Cullinane was appointed the Worldwide Director of Innovation and Strategy Development for Microsoft Education. As such she will lead Microsoft’s activities to support the effective use of technology and development of appropriate solutions in education globally.

Ms. Cullinane, a recipient of the Microsoft Circle of Excellence Award, has spoken at national and international conferences on the topics of educational technology, school reform and strategic leadership. She has testified before the United States Congress and has appeared on PBS, NPR, ABC News and in Fast Company Magazine. A resident of New York City, Ms. Cullinane holds a Master’s of Public Policy and Administration Program from Columbia University with a concentration in International Economics and Policy Development and a Bachelor of Arts Degree from The College of New Jersey.