Mary Ann Gomez Orta joined the Congressional Hispanic Leadership Institute (CHLI) in 2011. Under her leadership, the organization has grown in influence and impact. She strongly believes that diverse points of view create exponentially better results for all and it is with that passion and commitment she prepares and promotes Hispanic college students to be global leaders at CHLI. She has enhanced and created programs that promote diversity of thought, increase awareness of contributions by Americans of Hispanic heritage.

She is a former corporate marketing executive with Coors Brewing Company and McDonald’s Corporation, and an Alliance Development Consultant for the Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America.

Mary Ann currently serves as the Chair of the Hispanic Association on Corporate Responsibility that is comprised of the top 14 national Hispanic non-profits, and is a member of the Board of Regents of St. Mary’s College of California. She is a former board member of the Public Relations Society of America, Miami Chapter, and Citizens Against Lawsuit Abuse. Her first experience leading a leadership was in early '80s as President of the Chicano Latino Youth Leadership Project in California.

She earned a B.A. in Communications at the University of the Pacific and an M.B.A. at St. Mary’s College. A teacher, coach, and connector at heart. She has taught public relations, business, marketing and public speaking at American University, University of Phoenix and Heald College.

Mary Ann is extremely proud of her parents. Her father is from Mexico and her mother is from Texas. They raised five children while working in the fields of California’s Central Valley and encouraged and watched as all five earned undergraduate degrees and two went on to obtain master's degrees.