Mary Marso is owner and Chief Executive Officer of Jeane Thorne Inc., a leading Minnesota staffing firm offering both temporary and fulltime career placement options. Jeane Thorne Inc. primarily serves clients in the greater Twin Cities area, and Mankato and Southern Minnesota. It is widely credited for innovative approaches to improving the temporary staffing sector for both clients and employees, and has been recognized as one of the top-25 women-owned businesses in the Twin Cities.

Ms. Marso earned a B.A. degree with majors in political science and sociology and a minor in psychology from Minnesota State University-Mankato, in 1968.

She began work with Jeane Thorne Inc. in 1969, as its first full-time staff member, and became owner and CEO in 1984. Under Ms. Marso's leadership, Jeane Thorne Inc. is recognized as a leader in providing customized solutions for its clients' staffing needs. Today Jeane Thorne Inc. is known for its staffing excellence in administrative, customer service, financial, legal, and professional search. Jeane Thorne has received both regional and national awards for its business excellence; and also for its track record of community service. Under Mary's direction close to $550,000 has been raised through an annual Golf Invitational, directly benefiting St. Joseph's Home for Children. As a long standing member of the Minnesota Keystone Program, Jeane Thorne has the distinction of receiving the Keystone Star Award in 2004.

Ms. Marso has held leading volunteer roles in numerous nonprofit and civic organizations. She currently serves on the University of St. Thomas Board of Trustees. In 1994, she founded the Marso Foundation, focusing on children in need and their education. Through the Marso Foundation, she has funded an endowed scholarship at the University of St. Thomas for a student of color.

A partial list of past boards on which she served include the St. Paul Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors; the Minnesota Chamber Board of Directors; the American Staffing Association National Board of Directors; and the Minnesota State University-Mankato Foundation Board, which she chaired for three years during the most successful Capital Campaign to date of the MNSCU system.

Mary Marso is the recipient of many civic, business and trade association awards, including the Twin Cities Region Women Change Maker Award; and 2008's Lifetime Achievement Award by NAWBO (National Association of Women Business Owners). In 2000, she founded “Women on the Move,” an informal peer networking organization for women in top leadership roles in business, education and government.

Ms. Marso has three sons and six grandchildren. With her marriage in 2005, she and her husband are now the proud parents of five children and 12 grandchildren. In addition to time with family, Mary's interests include travel, time at the lake, art appreciation, golf, and gardening.