Mary Kay Hester

As an educational adviser, Mary Kay provides academic advising and access to educational opportunities to the Foundation’s Cooke Young Scholars Program.

Before joining the Foundation, Mary Kay was a high school career coach for Lord Fairfax Community College. In this role, she worked with students to develop individualized academic and career plans, navigate the college application process, and identify experiential learning opportunities to enhance their studies. She also facilitated small groups for first-generation college students and taught a course on college success skills. Prior to this position, Mary Kay served as a recruiter and counselor for undergraduate and graduate admissions at Sweet Briar College and Shenandoah University, respectively.

Mary Kay received her B.A. in French and International Relations from Randolph-Macon College and an MBA from Shenandoah University.