Mary Redd-Clary, Ph.D. led numerous organizations and departments to continuous improvement as a director, manager, trainer, mentor, and coach over her professional government career with the Department of Navy and Department of Army. In her last position as Director of the Navy Voluntary Education Program (GS15), she supervised staffs in Navy College Offices located world-wide and a virtual education call center. During this tenure, she ensured the efficient execution of Department of Defense education policies along with the Navy’s multi-million dollar college tuition assistance program and led the Navy College Distance Learning Partnership of over 30 colleges and universities. Additionally she’s given speeches and delivered presentations for a variety of events to include college graduation ceremonies and professional forums such as Navy’s Learning Strategies Symposiums, Triennial Department of Defense World-Wide Education symposiums, Council of Colleges and Military Education conferences, and Advisory Council on Military Education. She is the recipient of the Superior Civilian Service and Meritorious Civilian Service medals.
Since retirement from government service, Dr. Redd-Clary enjoys her responsibilities as an adjunct assistant professor in the Old Dominion University Strome College of Business and as a board member for the Virginia U.S. Senate Productivity and Quality Award program. She is also an advocate for several non-profit organizations, to include the Old Dominion University Friends of the Library and the Chesapeake Unit of Parliamentarians.
April 2023 Spotlight
At SPQA, our support in helping organizations on their journey to excellence leverages the talents and experiences of our volunteer workforce. Each workforce member has a unique story to tell. In this article we have interviewed Mary Redd-Clary, PhD., our SPQA Secretary to get her story.
Why did you choose to become a Board Member for SPQA?
I was asked to become a board member because I had attended a training session and informed a board member that she wanted to participate because she wrote a dissertation on organizational change using Baldrige as the framework.
What has been the most enjoyable aspect of being a Board Member?
The opportunity to work with small businesses.
What is your primary goal for learning from this experience?
How to learn more about the opportunity to continue to learn how to help organizations improve using the Baldrige Criteria
What have you gained from serving as a Board Member?
I gained from new professional relationships more insight into the value of using the Baldrige Criteria specifically when introducing it to small businesses.
What is your greatest passion outside of your professional life?
I enjoy watching cooking shows and love cooking.