About Mayor Mary K. Ferdon

Mary K. Ferdon is the 38th Mayor of the City of Columbus, taking office on January 1, 2024. Although this is the first elected position she has held, Mary served the last eight years as Executive Director of Administration and Community Development for the City. She worked with our 450 full-time employees to provide an accessible and safe community, well-maintained roads, over 1000 acres of parks, quality care of animals and reliable public services. These services provide the backbone of what a city needs for its residents to be able to go about their daily lives, pursue their life’s work and achieve their dreams.

Mary earned a Bachelor of Science in Political Science and Masters of Urban Administration from the University of North Carolina – Charlotte. Prior to working for the City, Mary was an adjunct instructor at IUPUC, worked at Heritage Fund – the Community Foundation of Bartholomew County and was the Executive Director of Volunteers in Medicine.

Mary and her husband Steve have lived in Columbus for over 30 years, where they raised their two sons, Andrew and Sam.