Mary Winston. Photo: Domtar Corporation

Mary Winston

She was elected to the Northrop Grumman Board of Directors in 2023. Winston is the president and founder of WinsCo Enterprises, a consulting firm providing financial and board governance advisory services since 2016.

Ms. Winston’s formative years were marked by a blend of curiosity, determination, and a burgeoning interest in financial management. Growing up, she displayed a natural aptitude for numbers and a keen intellect, traits that would later shape her successful career in finance and business leadership. Her childhood environment fostered a sense of ambition and a drive for excellence, laying the foundation for her future academic and professional endeavors.

Ms. Winston pursued her higher education at esteemed institutions, where she honed her skills and acquired invaluable knowledge in accounting, finance, and business administration. She earned her Bachelor’s degree in Accounting from the University of Wisconsin, where she solidified her understanding of financial principles and practices. Continuing her academic journey, she obtained an MBA with a focus on Finance, Marketing, and International Business from Northwestern University’s Kellogg Graduate School. These degrees equipped her with a comprehensive understanding of business operations, strategic planning, and corporate finance, setting the stage for her illustrious career in the corporate world.

Ms. Winston’s journey towards her current role as the Founder and President of WinsCo Enterprises, Inc., commenced with her early years shaped by a passion for financial and board governance advisory services. Her academic pursuit led her to the University of Wisconsin, where she earned a Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, followed by an MBA in Finance, Marketing, and International Business from Northwestern University’s Kellogg Graduate School. Armed with these qualifications, she embarked on a remarkable career trajectory. She held pivotal positions, including Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer at Giant Eagle, Inc., a prominent supermarket chain, from 2008 to 2012, and Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer at Scholastic Corporation, a global leader in children’s publishing, education, and media, from 2004 to 2007. Notably, Ms. Winston served as Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of Family Dollar Stores, a leading discount retailer, from 2012 until its acquisition by Dollar Tree in 2015. Her tenure as interim Chief Executive Officer at Bed Bath & Beyond from May 2019 to November 2019 showcased her strategic acumen. Beyond her corporate endeavors, Ms. Winston is deeply committed to humanitarian efforts, exemplified by her service on the Boards of Directors of Acuity Brands, Inc., Dover Corporation (until May 5, 2023), TD Bank Group, and Northrop Grumman Corporation. Her dedication to corporate governance is underscored by her role as a Board Leadership Fellow of the National Association of Corporate Directors (NACD). Ms. Winston’s illustrious career has garnered her numerous awards and accolades, a testament to her exceptional leadership and contributions to the business world.