Mary Beth Cahill

Mary Beth Cahill has spent her professional life in public service, and has established herself as a force in Democratic politics. Most recently, Cahill has served as Campaign Manager for John Kerry for President. Prior to joining the campaign, she served as the Chief of Staff to Senator Edward Kennedy, (D-Mass.) and prior to that, as Assistant to the President and Director of Public Liaison in Bill Clinton's White House. After graduating from Emmanuel College, she began her political career as a staff associate and receptionist for former Congressman Robert F. Drinan (D-Mass.). Before working her way to Washington, Cahill successfully managed Edward J. Markey's campaign for a seat in the United States House of Representatives, and then went on to manage Senate campaigns for Patrick Leahy in Vermont, Claiborne Pell in Rhode Island and Les AuCoin in Oregon. In between bursts of campaign activity, Cahill served in various positions for the Governor of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, including Director of Federal-State Relations under Governor Michael Dukakis from June 1987- May1989 and Director of the Governor's Personnel Office from May 1988- April 1990. Cahill is recognized as an expert on Women and Politics. For over five years, she served as Executive Director of EMILY's List, the nation's largest political action committee. She has trained female candidates for political office in Russia, Macedonia and Ireland. As Executive Director of EMILY's List, Cahill facilitated explosive growth, with the organization's membership doubling from 24,000 to 50,000. Cahill has received numerous awards and honors. She was named a "Mover and Shaker" by Campaigns and Elections magazine in February 1998, and recognized as one of the POLITICS "Fabulous Fifty" by Roll Call in September 1996. Cahill also was honored as one of the Top Political Action in Leaders in America in Campaigns and Elections' June 1997 issue.