Today, the Salt Lake Chamber announced that Mary Catherine Perry, formerly the director of policy and government affairs for The Policy Project, will lead the Chamber’s advocacy efforts as vice president of public policy and government affairs, as well as manage the policy committees that bring together Chamber members and community partners to establish strategies in key policy areas.
“Mary Catherine brings to the Salt Lake Chamber a wealth of experience and inspiring dedication to promoting policies that enhance the quality of life for all Utahns,” said Derek Miller, president and CEO of the Salt Lake Chamber. “Her years of service working with and for policymakers, volunteering and serving women and children in Utah’s community gives her a unique perspective and skill set that will be a tremendous asset to the Chamber and Utah as she continues to advocate for policies that make the state an even better place to live, work and play.”
Mary Catherine is a seasoned policy expert and advocate. As former director of policy and government affairs for The Policy Project, she helped lead groundbreaking efforts like The Period Project, ensuring free period products in Utah’s K-12 public schools, and the Teen Center Project, securing $15 million to support at-risk students. She also championed child abuse prevention education in elementary schools and other initiatives on education and housing. Mary Catherine also previously served as a policy analyst at the Utah Office of Legislative Research and General Counsel. In addition, she has served on numerous nonprofit boards, such as the University of Utah Hospitals and Clinics, Utah Women Run and Junior League of Salt Lake City.
“I am honored to join the Salt Lake Chamber as the vice president of public policy and government affairs and to have the opportunity to work with President Miller and the entire Chamber team,” said Perry. “I look forward to drawing on my experience advancing policies with the Utah Legislature to further the Chamber’s mission, champion economic prosperity and foster a dynamic and thriving business environment as we enhance the quality of life for all Utahns.”
Ginger Chinn, who has served as the vice president of public policy and government affairs for the past several years, has accepted a position at another organization. Mary Catherine will begin leading efforts on December 2, 2024.
“Ginger has been a stalwart champion of the Salt Lake Chamber since day one, advocating for sound policies and the betterment of our state,” said Miller. “Her efforts have made Utah more prosperous and she will be tremendously missed. We wish Ginger well in her new endeavors.”
About Mary Catherine Perry
Mary Catherine Perry is the former director of policy and government affairs for The Policy Project. In that capacity, Perry helped unanimously pass The Period Project, which she drafted, advocated for and implemented legislation that requires all of Utah’s public and charter schools to offer free period products to K-12 students. Perry also helped secure a $15 million legislative appropriation with the Teen Center Project to create spaces inside Utah high schools to offer vulnerable and at-risk students a place to do laundry, shower and access food resources. She helped draft and unanimously pass legislation with The Safe Child Project that offers child abuse prevention education in Utah elementary schools with historic ongoing funding. She has also advocated for policies involving public education and affordable home ownership.
Perry began her career as a policy analyst with the Utah Legislature at the Office of Legislative Research and General Counsel, where she worked for several years researching and developing policy and drafting legislation primarily in Business, Labor and Economic Development. Perry received a B.A. in English and a Master of Public Administration from Brigham Young University, where she developed a love for advocacy and sound policy.
Perry has spent over 25 years volunteering in many capacities including the Salt Lake City School District and on nonprofit boards in Utah including the Board of Directors of the University of Utah Hospitals and Clinics, Utah Women Run, Junior League of Salt Lake City, Tanner Dance at the University of Utah, and she was appointed by Governor Cox to serve on the Utah Marriage Commission. Mary Catherine and her husband, Jason Perry, reside in Salt Lake City with their children.
