Mary Waters serves as Chief of Protocol for the State of Georgia and Chief Administrative Officer for the Georgia Department of Economic Development (GDEcD). In this capacity, Mary leverages her unique expertise in international engagement, including trade policy, international trade, and business strategy to enhance relationships both with Georgia’s international partners and within GDEcD.
Previously, Ms. Waters served as Deputy Commissioner of International Trade for GDEcD, overseeing the team that supports the expansion of Georgia’s exports and business growth through increased international sales, as well as a resilient state economy. Over her 16 years with GDEcD, she has led diverse teams statewide and across Georgia’s 12 international locations, achieving export records and award-winning results that benefit the State of Georgia.
Under Mary’s leadership, Georgia’s International Trade team earned an “E Star Award” for Excellence in Export Services for an unprecedented fourth time from the U.S. Department of Commerce in 2020. Mary served as President of the State International Development Organizations, Inc. (SIDO), the premier U.S. organization dedicated to supporting state international trade agencies and state development programs, from 2021 to 2023. Mary has also managed business development and market expansion initiatives in Latin America and Africa in the private sector.
Mary holds a Master of Arts in Latin American Studies from the University of Florida and a dual bachelor’s degree in Spanish and International Studies from Willamette University in Salem, Oregon. Her language skills include Spanish and Portuguese. Mary and her husband Mike live in Decatur with their young daughter.