Mary Osako is UCLA’s inaugural vice chancellor for strategic communications. In this role since September 2019, she oversees communications and media relations, brand marketing, and insights, and helps maintain and enhance UCLA’s reputation as a world-class public research university.
A Los Angeles native and UCLA alumna, Mary has extensive experience leading complex communications efforts at some of the most innovative Fortune 500 companies in the world. She is well-versed in all facets of communications, reputation management and brand marketing, encompassing media relations, crisis communications, public affairs, executive communications, events and social and digital marketing.
Previously, Mary served as chief communications officer of Activision Blizzard; head of global corporate communications at Amazon; and vice president of corporate, international and public policy communications at Yahoo! Immediately prior to joining UCLA, she was a partner and chief operating officer at Haven Tower Group, a leading strategic communications and marketing firm based in Santa Monica that serves corporate clients across the country, where she currently serves as vice chair of the firm’s board of advisors.
Mary serves on the board of directors of the Hammer Museum and the Geffen Playhouse in Los Angeles and the Geffen Academy at UCLA Advisory Council, and is a PRWeek 2021 Hall of Femme honoree. She earned her bachelor’s degree in psychology and a specialization in Asian American studies from UCLA in 1996.