# Mary Verdin

> Mary Verdin is the founder, president and CEO of Verdin, a San Luis Obispo marketing agency established in 2003. Her career combines destination and public-sector marketing, local nonprofit leadership and the 24-Hour Give, an initiative launched in 2014 to donate nonprofit rebrands. She received the San Luis Obispo Chamber’s 2024 Citizen of the Year award in January 2025.

- **Role:** Founder, President & CEO at Verdin
- **Organizations:** Verdin, San Luis Obispo Chamber of Commerce, The Community Foundation San Luis Obispo County, Rotary Club of San Luis Obispo de Tolosa, Women’s Legacy Fund, Assistance League of San Luis Obispo County, Cal Poly PRSSA
- **Education:** University of California, Davis, Leadership program graduate, Class IV, Leadership SLO, Leadership program graduate, Class 24, Leadership California
- **Known for:** 2024 Citizen of the Year, San Luis Obispo Chamber of Commerce, presented January 2025., 2021 AFP San Luis Obispo County President’s Award, shared with Verdin Marketing for the 24-Hour Give., Agency biography lists a Stevie Award for Women in Business, PRSA Professional of the Year, and Cuesta College Women of Distinction recognition.

## Career timeline

- **1991** — Moved to San Luis Obispo.
- **2003** — Founded Verdin; first contract was with the Community Foundation of San Luis Obispo County.
- **2006** — Chaired the San Luis Obispo Chamber of Commerce board.
- **2013** — Ashlee Akers joined Mary and Adam Verdin as a shareholder; the agency created a strategy division.
- **2014** — Launched the 24-Hour Give on November 20–21.
- **2017** — Listed as president of the Community Foundation board in its annual report.
- **2021** — Received the AFP San Luis Obispo County President’s Award with Verdin Marketing.
- **2025** — Accepted the Chamber’s 2024 Citizen of the Year award on January 18.

## Achievements

- 2024 Citizen of the Year, San Luis Obispo Chamber of Commerce, presented January 2025.
- 2021 AFP San Luis Obispo County President’s Award, shared with Verdin Marketing for the 24-Hour Give.
- Agency biography lists a Stevie Award for Women in Business, PRSA Professional of the Year, and Cuesta College Women of Distinction recognition.
- Agency’s annual Give had generated more than $800,000 in donated services by January 2025.

## Latest updates

- **2025-11** — Her author archive lists a District Marketing Mojo interview with Cathy Cartier of SLO CAL, published November 4.
- **2025-09** — Her author archive lists a District Marketing Mojo interview with Frank Johnson of Visit Gilroy, published September 9.
- **2025-01** — Accepted the 2024 Citizen of the Year honor on January 18.

## Links

- Website: https://www.verdinmarketing.com/
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/maryverdin

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Profile page: https://yespress.io/mary-verdin
Published by YesPress — https://yespress.io
Last updated: 2026-10-22