Former Global Chair, Technology Sector, Edelman
Menlo Park, CA
A successful entrepreneur and senior executive in the technology communications industry, Maria Amundson most recently served as Global Chair, Technology Sector for Edelman, the world’s leading communications marketing agency. In this position she headed a team of 550 tech communications professionals in 35 countries, the largest network of its kind. She was promoted to the role after serving for three years as General Manager of Edelman’s Silicon Valley office, leading it to record profitability and top client satisfaction rankings all three years, and five prior years in other leadership roles. Her areas of expertise include executive counsel, corporate transition, product and category launches, brand positioning and financial communications.
In 2006 Edelman acquired A&R Partners, the technology public relations agency that Maria co-owned. As a senior partner, Maria played an instrumental role in A&R’s rise to the leading independent PR agency in Silicon Valley, with a staff of 115. Her work has won numerous awards from respected industry organizations such as The Holmes Report and PR Week.
With a strong interest in community service and education innovation, Maria serves on advisory boards for the Silicon Valley Education Foundation and the San Francisco Mayor’s Office Startup in Residence (STIR) program, which is dedicated to fostering civic technology entrepreneurs. She recently completed a four-year term on the regional board of Teach for America, Bay Area and three-year term on the board of the Bay Area Council. She holds a bachelor’s degree in Economics from Stanford University.