Mary Beth Ikard has two decades of experience in public relations and cause marketing for complex issues including: early-childhood literacy, human services for vulnerable populations, private-sector healthcare, affordable housing, tobacco prevention, land-use and transportation planning, and animal welfare. From 2015-2021, Ikard served as a lead policy aide on transportation and sustainability under Metro-Nashville Mayors Barry, Briley, and Cooper. She also lived and worked in Downtown Chattanooga as a communications advisor to Mayor Tim Kelly and City Government, as well as the Chattanooga Chamber of Commerce. She came to the Nashville mayor’s office via the Greater Nashville Regional Council (GNRC) – the lead policy, planning, and funding authority for surface transportation across Middle Tennessee – where she oversaw public involvement for the MPO's 2035 Regional Transportation Plan. She earned the Nashville Chamber’s Emerging Leader Award in her industry sector, and has been honored by the Nashville Business Journal as both a 'Woman of Influence' and a 'Top 40 Under 40.' In 2019 Walk-Bike Nashville gave her their 'Government Official of the Year' award for her career contributions to active transportation. Ikard holds a BA in Journalism and English from Indiana University, and Accreditation in PR with the Public Relations Society of America.