A background in journalism and a fascination for futures made for a winning combination in Mary Ann Burns, who last year retired from FIA after 23 years with the association, most recently as Chief Operating Officer.
Mary Ann’s relationship with FIA began when she was hired to help with the first FIA Expo held on the CME floor 32 years ago. She continued to help with the event’s program and edited FIA’s magazine on a freelance basis in Chicago for a number of years, and was hired as head of communications moving to DC in 1993.
Her contribution to FIA and the industry goes way beyond events and communications, however. She spearheaded the creation of FIA Tech, the for-profit company created to help the industry face common issues through offerings such as eGAINS, eGUS and eRECS. She helped develop FIA’s and the industry’s response to a number of challenges including 9/11 and MF Global as well preparation for the euro and Y2K. She was also instrumental in steering the merger between FOA and FIA, which completed in January 2016.
Mary Ann was well liked and highly respected by the membership and the wider industry, actively engaging with the community through extensive participation in working groups, committees and divisions, serving also on the executive committees of the FIA Principal Traders Group and the FIA European Principal Traders Association, as well as overseeing FIA Tech as executive chair.
She has most recently been advising FIA on the development of a new training program, but now works full time supporting the Burns family-owned Old Ox Brewery.
As former FIA President John Damgard stated, “Mary Ann was the best hire I ever made.”
