Mary-Pat Hector is CEO of Rise, an organization that trains students to organize campaigns eliminating tuition and fees, expanding financial aid, ending student hunger and homelessness, and increasing voter turnout. Before becoming CEO in 2023, Mary-Pat was the Georgia State Director of Rise. At 19, she was the youngest woman and person of color to run for public office in Georgia, losing by only 22 votes which inspired her to found Equity for All, an ecosystem training young leaders to run for office and seek equal representation. She has developed initiatives ending student hunger on college campuses, rallies against police violence, and youth entrepreneurship programming helping hundreds launch licensed businesses. She hosts the “Okay But Listen” podcast, is an advisor to the King Center, and has board positions with Headcount.org, Facebook’s State of Youth board, and EAT global nonprofit. Mary-Pat graduated from Spelman College and Georgia State University.