Meet Mary Kate
Born and raised in Framingham, Mary Kate has spent her life building community from her school days to Beacon Hill, and back to the neighborhood she calls home.
As a community organizer, policy advocate, and bridge-builder, she believes that real change comes from neighbors rolling up their sleeves and building solutions together.
The proud daughter of a teacher and a software engineer, she grew up learning the value of both education and giving back. Along with her younger brother and sister, she attended Saint Bridget School, where she was active in the school community and was a member of Girl Scouts Troop 2120. She played in Framingham Little-Big League and later worked through high school as an umpire for the League.
Determined to learn more about politics and life outside of New England, Mary Kate attended Saint Francis Xavier University in Antigonish, Nova Scotia, Canada, where she double majored in Political Science and History.
Building Government That Works
Mary Kate has dedicated most of her career to public service, learning that effective leadership means bringing people together to solve problems. As an aide to Governor Deval Patrick, she was on the front lines of government, collaborating with advocates, agencies, and residents to find solutions.
Mary Kate on the Saint Bridget School float for the Flag Day Parade in June 1991.
As Director of Online Media, her work focused on transparency and accessibility projects – literally building virtual bridges between government and the people it serves. Governor Patrick's key principle: "Never present a problem without a solution" is a philosophy that guides every project she tackles.
Her work also included time with the Commonwealth Marketing Office and the Massachusetts Office of Travel and Tourism, where she developed messaging and promotion strategies for Massachusetts' vibrant economic, educational, and cultural scenes.
As the founder and creative principal of Dockside Media, a small business based in Framingham, Mary Kate collaborates with educational institutions, nonprofits, community leaders, and small businesses sharing their stories and strengthening community connections.
Building Framingham's Transformation
When Framingham was faced with the question of becoming a city, Mary Kate didn't just support the idea – she joined the movement that made it happen. As Chair of Framingham First, she helped lead the successful grassroots campaign for Framingham voters to adopt a more transparent, accessible, and equal form of government in April 2017. This wasn't just about changing our governmental structure; it was about building a foundation for Framingham's future.
Building Community Connections
Mary Kate's vision extends far beyond government reform. She believes strong communities need infrastructure that brings people together. As co-founder of Friends of Framingham Trails, she has championed our community’s trail network. Her trail advocacy has put these vital community assets at the forefront of Framingham's planning agenda, with the goal of making Framingham the Hub of Trails in MetroWest.
When families needed safe, fun places to celebrate the end of the year together, Mary Kate helped build exactly that. As one of the organizers of Framingham's annual New Year's Eve Celebration on the Cochituate Rail Trail, she created a new community tradition that brings hundreds of families together every year.
When our four-legged neighbors needed a place to play, Mary Kate saw an opportunity where others saw a dead end. After FramBARK, the organization advocating for a dog park, announced they were winding down after six years of effort, Mary Kate became the force that brought FramBARK back to the fight, pulling together the organization's leadership with city councilors to develop a concrete plan. Through her legislative experience, facilitation skills, and community organizing, she provided the new energy and focus that finally made Framingham's first safe, enclosed dog park a reality.
Building Through Crisis
After the announcement of the Trump Administration's policy of separating migrant children from their parents at the U.S. border, Mary Kate volunteered with the Framingham Chapter of Family Belong Together and organized a rally on the steps of the Memorial Building. Hundreds of people gathered in support of our immigrant community.
When the pandemic hit, Mary Kate immediately collaborated with others building the mutual aid network our community desperately needed. As Treasurer of Framingham Coronavirus Community Outreach, she raised money and organized shopping trips for those in need and helped coordinate the volunteer effort that sustained our neighbors through the darkest days of COVID-19.
Additionally, she brought together elected and community leaders together for a virtual fundraiser, like a tele-a-thon on TV, called An Evening For Daniel's Table. $10,000 was raised in an hour for the organization focused on fighting food insecurity in Framingham.
Building Informed Community
Since August 2022, Mary Kate has written "The Ham'er," a weekly newsletter that has become the "go-to" source for real insight into Framingham's civic life. A year later, she launched an accompanying podcast featuring conversations with Framingham neighbors making a positive impact on the community. Through these platforms, she's building an informed and engaged community of residents who understand local issues and know how to get involved.
Building Policy That Works
Mary Kate understands that lasting change requires more than grassroots organizing – it needs smart policy. As a member of the Strategic Initiatives and Financial Oversight Committee, she helped organize the ARPA Summits that brought together the Mayor, City Council, and School Committee to collaboratively plan how to use federal pandemic relief funding for maximum community benefit.
Her policy work extends to safety and sustainability. Mary Kate advocated for Framingham's adoption of Vision Zero, the internationally-recognized traffic safety initiative. Her persistent advocacy led to the Traffic Commission and City Council reducing the citywide speed limit from 30mph to 25mph in 2019.
When Framingham needed tools to preserve open space and build affordable housing, Mary Kate volunteered on the Community Preservation Act campaign, giving voters the chance to invest in their community's future through this proven funding mechanism.
Building Across the Community
Mary Kate's commitment to building community extends across every sector of Framingham life. She serves as an Executive Board member of the Framingham Business Association, Chair of the Saint Bridget School Advisory Board, and is active in Leadership Metrowest, the Pheasant Hill Civic Association, Framingham Democratic Committee, Framingham FORCE, Keep Framingham Beautiful, and Framingham Lodge of Elks #1264.
She also put her carpentry skills to work volunteering on three playground building projects throughout the city. She even built a bridge!
Each of these roles reflects her belief that strong communities require people willing to step up, serve, and build connections across different interests and perspectives.
When not serving on a board or attending a community meeting, Mary Kate can be found enjoying her favorite Framingham place, Callahan State Park, with her beloved rescue black lab, Jack, or rocking out to The Beatles on her guitar.
