Cullinane spent the last decade spearheading Microsoft's education-related innovation programs and initiatives worldwide. Her efforts to infuse technology into education reform included leading Microsoft's national education programs around 1:1 access and driving the development of a ground-breaking School of the Future in Philadelphia, Penn.
"Changes in the education landscape are causing HMH to undergo an unprecedented transformation from traditional content provider to full-service learning company," said Cullinane. "I will bring great passion to our efforts to lead this transformation, and I will ensure that those efforts reflect our commitment to giving voice to new ideas and inspiring curiosity in children and adults.”
With another decade of experience as an educator, Director of Technology and administrator in the public sector, Cullinane is a recognized thought leader in the area of education reform and the effective use of technology. She has testified before the U.S. Congress, spoken at national and international conferences and co-edited and authored the book What Next?, which documents lessons learned during the building of the School of the Future.
Cullinane is dedicated to elevating and expanding HMH's global reputation through technologically and socially innovative practices. Under her leadership, HMH will take advantage of new opportunities to affect positive social change in the community, align investments to business and societal goals and influence the critical debate over technology's role in the K–12 learning experience.
"As Mary's longtime colleague, I've witnessed her success not only in promoting technology as the fabric of 21st-century education reform, but also with change management and leadership development," said Zecher. "Those will prove to be two critically important practices as we continue to grow and embrace new business opportunities in 2012 and beyond."
Cullinane holds a Master of Public Policy and Administration from Columbia University with a concentration in international economics and policy development, as well as a Bachelor of Arts from The College of New Jersey.
About Houghton Mifflin Harcourt
With education products and services used by 57 million students throughout all 50 U.S. states and 120 countries, Houghton Mifflin Harcourt is a global education and learning company. The world’s largest provider of materials for pre-K–12 learning, Houghton Mifflin Harcourt is leading the way with innovative solutions and approaches to the challenges facing education today. Through curricula excellence coupled with technology innovations and professional services, Houghton Mifflin Harcourt collaborates with school districts, administrators, teachers, parents and students, providing interactive, results-driven learning solutions. Its Educational Consulting Services group works to increase student achievement in underperforming schools by developing, implementing and supporting education transformation through sustained district partnerships. With origins dating back to 1832, the Company also publishes an extensive line of reference works and award-winning literature for adults and young readers. For more information, visit www.hmhco.com.