As Senior Vice President of Government and Customer Relations, Mara is responsible for developing and executing Peraton’s public policy and government affairs strategies in alignment with corporate and sector strategic priorities and leading Peraton’s interactions with the legislative branch, the executive branch, state and local officials, think tanks, and trade associations.
Mara joins Peraton from Booz Allen, where she served as Vice President for Government Relations and Military Affairs. In this role, she established and led the firm’s first government affairs capability, guiding strategic government customer relationships and advancing the firm’s business interests with policymakers, including creating the firm’s first Political Action Committee. She also oversaw the firm’s military partnership strategy, integrating philanthropic activities with recruiting, diversity, and business strategies to sustain a strong veteran workforce foundation. During her tenure at Booz Allen, she also held roles as the business development executive for defense and military intelligence and led the firm’s business supporting U.S. government classified missions. Prior to Booz Allen, Mara was a strategy executive for BAE Systems.
Before joining industry, Mara served as a U.S. naval officer for over two decades. Her diverse experience spans combat operations in the Middle East, acquisition oversight for U.S. government satellite and special communications, and legislative affairs director for the Defense Intelligence Agency.
Mara has a B.S. from the United States Naval Academy, an MPA from Harvard University, and an M.S. from the National Defense University. She serves on the boards of the International Spy Museum, Blue Star Families, and the National Defense Industrial Association (NDIA). Since 2018, The Hill has continued to recognize Mara as one of Washington’s Top Lobbyists.
At-a-glance
Develops and executes Peraton’s public policy and government affairs strategies
Former vice president for government relations and military affairs at Booz Allen
Holds MPA from Harvard University, and an M.S. from the National Defense University