Issue Areas:

Education

Education:

The University of Texas School of Law – J.D.

The University of Texas at Austin – B.A. in History, with honors 

Focus

Mary Lynn works as the Senior Policy Advisor for education issues at Texas 2036. She is an expert in the most complex public education topics, including assessment, accountability and school finance. In 2023, Mary Lynn led Texas 2036’s efforts on assessment and accountability, working to ensure that the state maintains a commitment to rigorous, valid and transparent systems for all public schools.

In addition to her work on public education policy, in the coming year, Mary Lynn will lead our Lone Star Fellows Program, helping to train and coach the next generation of education and workforce policy fellows.

Mary Lynn is an 8th generation Texan, her family having lived in the state for almost 200 years.

Prior Work Experience

Mary Lynn joined Texas 2036 after serving as Governor Abbott’s Education Policy Advisor. In this role, she served as the primary liaison to the Texas Education Agency and as the lead policy advisor for House Bill 3’s school finance overhaul. During this time, Mary Lynn also oversaw the Governor’s Childcare Task Force and Tri-Agency work.

Mary Lynn has also worked in the private sector, representing various education clients and successfully moving legislation on their behalf. She has also served as a Legislative Staffer, spending several sessions working for Chairman Larry Taylor as the General Counsel for the Senate Education Committee.