Marie is the Chief Executive of Newry, Mourne and Down District Council, one of Northern Ireland’s largest local authorities. Appointed in 2019, she has more than 18 years of senior leadership experience in local government and has played a central role in the transformation of the Council since its formation in 2015. A Chartered Surveyor by profession, Marie was the first female officer in Northern Ireland to hold the role of Southern Group Chief Building Control Officer working across five local Authorities.

Marie is passionate about driving economic growth, regeneration and tourism development. She has spearheaded major investment programmes across the district, including city and growth deal projects, sustainable tourism initiatives and organisational transformation. From 2024 to 2026 she served as Chair of the Society of Local Government Chief Executives (SOLACE), Northern Ireland advocating for strong local government leadership and partnership working across the public sector. She has also held the roles of Chair of the Northern Ireland and Southern Emergency Planning Groups. She is a Board member of the Chief Executives Forum.