After practicing

law in New York City, McGovern worked as a volunteer with a nonprofit

organization involved in studying the city's traffic and air problems

and seeking to raise awareness of the need to coordinate transportation

planning with air quality concerns.

She also worked

with Human Rights Watch where she published a report on human rights abuses

in South Africa and authored a series of communications to U.S. and foreign

governments detailing the issues in that nation.

McGovern moved

to Atlanta in 1994 and continued her work in civic and public policy issues.

She has worked

with UNICEF in Atlanta and served as a fund-raiser and addressed children's

issues in 1999 and 2000. In 1995, she worked at the Housing Authority

of the city of Atlanta, where she overhauled the agency's contracts and

procurement program and oversaw the refinancing of housing authority bonds.

She has recently

been a board member of the city of Atlanta Neighborhood Planning Unit

E and chaired the Ansley Park Civic Association Transportation Planning

Project.

In the latter

capacity she provided community leadership in connection with an historic

agreement between Ansley Park and the developers of Atlantic Station to

address traffic issues related to a proposed interstate bridge that would

have impacted all residents of Ansley Park.

"The skills

she demonstrated in bringing about a successful agreement demonstrate

her quiet but highly effective leadership," said Tisdale. "We

view Mary as a highly intelligent, committed consensus builder who can

take The Clean Air Campaign to the next level of changing behavior as

it relates to the region's severe traffic congestion and air quality problems."

"Having

been part of the organization from the very beginning, it is very difficult

to leave The Clean Air Campaign," said Smethurst. "However,

I am confident that I'm leaving it in the hands of a woman that will do

great things. I'm looking forward to watching The Clean Air Campaign grow

even further under her capable leadership."

In addition

her law degree, McGovern earned a master of laws from the University of

London's King's College and a bachelor of civil law from University College

Dublin.

The Clean Air

Campaign is the region's clearinghouse for information about air quality

and traffic mitigation. In addition, The Clean Air Campaign offers employers

free assistance to design and implement commute options and other smog-reducing

programs.

For information

phone 1-877-CLEANAIR or visit www.cleanaircampaign.com .