Mary Kurek, Pres/CEO, Frontrunners Development, Inc.
Mary Kurek began working life as the youngest member of the NC Governor’s staff at 19 and was awarded the Governor’s Long Leaf Pine Award. From there, she worked with international dignitaries through US and State government programs designed to improve multicultural relationships. She spent eight years as the Executive Director of the Chamber of Commerce next to the world’s largest Marine Corps Air Station and graduated from the US Chamber of Commerce Institute for Organization Management. Kurek was awarded a Commendation from the Commanding General of MCAS, Cherry Point for her economic development impact.
In 2007, Kurek wrote a networking book that was endorsed by the American Business Women’s Association and started her own business eventually moving her consultancy focus toward social entrepreneurship. Today, Frontrunners Development, Inc. (FDI) houses a business development agency aimed at nurturing partnership opportunities that expand impact by matching solution providers with country leaders and decision-makers. FDI operates a global impact media platform, Frontrunners Innovate, that is also the headquarters for the partnership community called Frontrunners League.
The agency, which supports the United Nations SDGs (and centers its work on SDG #17- partnerships for all goals), has facilitated connections and developed relationships in more than 65 countries as of 2022. Kurek currently represents the presiding monarchy of the country of Madagascar as an appointed Counselor for Trade and Investment.
Frontrunners Development enjoys partnerships with several worldwide organizations, like the Sub Saharan Open University (Nigeria) and Living Learning & Working, Inc. (US), and provides advisory and media support for events produced by World Youth Summit, The Next Generation Leaders, and the Center for Peace Advocacy and Sustainable Development-Africa.
Kurek is the co-founder of two model youth leadership programs and another organization for homebound seniors in her area. She sits on the boards of several international organizations that work on education, youth development, entrepreneurship, and trade. Kurek speaks regularly on UN goal topics at youth organization events.
Partnership Team
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- Dr. Osita Aniemeka, Founder, Sub Saharan Open University and partner on African programs to benefit youth and economic development
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- FIGHR Ambassador Ghazala Khan, partner on diplomatic consulting, policy, and business development
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- Robert Branch, Dir, Living Learning & Working, Inc., partner on innovation business development
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