NCSC's Mary McQueen to transition to President Emerita
August 5, 2024 -- 
When Mary McQueen became president of the National Center for State Courts in 2004, the organization’s annual budget was approximately $27 million. The organization has thrived under her leadership and despite challenges from the great recession and a global pandemic, the budget she inherited has now swelled to $103 million.
After more than 20 years at the helm of the organization, McQueen informed NCSC’s staff and Board of Directors on Saturday that she would be stepping down and transitioning to President Emerita.
“Serving as NCSC’s president has been the highest honor of my career,” said McQueen. “I am incredibly grateful to NCSC’s team and am proud of all we have accomplished. Now is the right time to transition our leadership, and I look forward to assisting NCSC in entering a new chapter.”
“The Board of Directors extends its heartfelt appreciation to Mary for a career dedicated to improving the administration of justice throughout the world,” said Chief Judge Anna Blackburne-Rigsby, chair of NCSC’s Board of Directors and president of the Conference of Chief Justices. “Under her leadership, NCSC has achieved remarkable milestones and started groundbreaking programs. Mary has expanded our reach to drive innovation and progress in courts and justice systems. We appreciate Mary’s unwavering commitment to NCSC and look forward to working alongside her as we ensure a seamless transition to our next President.”
In an email announcing her departure to NCSC’s staff, McQueen noted:
“In 2004, I promised that NCSC would continue to be our nation’s preeminent court reform organization and prominent voice of the state courts on key issues from judicial independence to court security, jury service, and abused and neglected children….I can proudly say that we accomplished and surpassed these goals together. In the process, we have transformed NCSC and the work we do. Together, we have modernized our organization and created a virtual workforce spearheading innovative pilot programs, launching initiatives for underserved groups, and advancing the public’s trust and confidence in our courts.”
McQueen will continue to serve as President until NCSC’s board names her successor. Once that next chapter begins, McQueen expects to remain active with NCSC’s work in leadership and governance, two of her personal passions.