Mara Enciu Garrett is a trilingual, first-generation immigrant from Romania who has lived and/or served in various countries, including Thailand, Papua New Guinea, and Mexico. Mara has held several administrative positions throughout her professional career in fields ranging from higher education to local government and community development. In addition to administration, Mara spent a portion of her career in direct services, supporting survivors of domestic and sexual violence, advocating for equity in the distribution and accessibility of services by advising and training state employees in Clackamas County, Oregon, particularly within the Department of Human Services, both Self-Sufficiency and Child Protective Services.

Prior to working for Advance CTE, Mara was a project coordinator with a consulting company on the Interstate Bridge Replacement Program, supporting Public Affairs as the coordinator for the Communications team. With her global background and education in organizational leadership and program development for women’s services, Mara brings her intercultural communication and administrative skills to her role as Advance CTE’s project coordinator, applying an equity lens to her work in improving processes and supporting staff. Mara works with Advance CTE staff in developing and implementing project plans, maintaining the project management system, and revising processes to ensure efficiency and excellence.