About Us

Deana Mary

Founder & Chief Strategist, The Mary Group

For more than 25 years, I’ve had the privilege of helping professional services organizations strengthen their market position, deepen client relationships, and achieve strategic growth.

As Founder of The Mary Group, I partner with executive leadership teams to align strategy, business development, brand positioning, marketing, digital, and client engagement into one cohesive growth platform. Whether serving as a trusted advisor, an embedded member of the leadership team, or leading transformational initiatives, my focus is always the same: helping organizations grow with clarity, purpose, and confidence.

Before founding The Mary Group, I held strategic leadership roles within Big Four and Am Law 100 professional services environments, partnering with executive leadership, client relationship executives, practice leaders, and other senior professionals to advance strategic growth initiatives across highly matrixed organizations. My experience spans strategic marketing, business development, executive engagement, market positioning, and relationship management, bringing together the people, processes, and ideas that help organizations grow.

What began as a solo consulting practice has evolved into a collaborative team of specialists who share a passion for helping organizations succeed. Together, we deliver integrated solutions spanning strategic growth, branding, digital experiences, creative design, client development, executive coaching, and premium print production. We become an extension of our clients’ leadership teams, bringing together the right people, ideas, and expertise to move organizations forward.

I earned a Bachelor of Arts from Notre Dame of Maryland University and a Master of Arts in Creative Business Leadership from the Savannah College of Art and Design (SCAD). That combination of business strategy, creativity, and human-centered leadership continues to shape how I approach every client engagement.

At the heart of my work is a simple belief:

The strongest organizations don’t grow through marketing alone, they grow through trust, relationships, and a clear strategic direction.

When I’m not partnering with clients, you’ll usually find me exploring new ideas, mentoring professionals, or traveling around the world, a reminder that every successful journey begins with a clear course.

Kate Kopec

Ambassador of Strategic Growth & Brand Engagement

Kate Kopec brings energy, precision, and strategic creativity to The Mary Group as our Business Development & Creative Marketing Director. With more than a decade of experience in marketing and client development for leading law and advisory firms, Kate is a powerhouse behind the scenes—translating strategy into results with finesse.

Kate has a proven track record of crafting go-to-market strategies, managing high-value client relationships, and launching compelling marketing campaigns that drive revenue growth. She blends analytical insight with creative execution to ensure every initiative is both thoughtful and impactful. Whether it’s building out a personal branding strategy for an emerging leader, shaping a high-touch client engagement plan, or managing a national sponsorship program, Kate approaches each challenge with curiosity, clarity, and commitment.

Prior to joining The Mary Group, Kate held various roles at a Big 4 consultancy and worked closely with Deana on high-profile initiatives across the U.S. Her experience working hand-in-hand with both attorneys and consultants allows her to offer a unique and practical perspective, helping clients elevate their brand and visibility in competitive markets.

Kate holds a Bachelors in Marketing Management from Kean University and a Masters in Management from the University of Phoenix.

At The Mary Group, Kate plays a critical role in powering our clients’ growth stories—bringing fresh ideas, relentless follow-through, and an unwavering focus on results.

John Zavocki

Ambassador of Creative Services

John’s work is grounded in a deep understanding of how people interact with design. Whether he’s architecting intuitive user journeys, building immersive websites, or creating brand identities that resonate, he brings precision, emotion, and impact to every pixel and frame.

An accomplished painter and multimedia artist, John holds a Masters in Painting from the New York Academy of Art, a Bachelor of Fine Arts from Allegheny College, and is UX Certified from the Nielsen Norman Group. He has dedicated over 30,000 hours to life drawing, portraiture, and large-scale installation work and over 10,000 hours as a software engineer.

At The Mary Group, John shapes the creative direction for client campaigns, websites, event branding, and digital experiences. He is both a visionary and an executor—equally comfortable behind a canvas or a codebase, translating bold ideas into unforgettable visuals that move people and drive results.

Delano Ard

Ambassador of Print Services

With more than 40 years of experience delivering print strategy, creative production, and integrated marketing solutions, Del Ard serves as The Mary Group’s Ambassador of Print Services—bringing deep industry expertise and a sharp creative eye to every client engagement.

Del is a trusted resource for professional service firms, entrepreneurs, and mission-driven organizations seeking to amplify their brand through high-quality, tactile experiences. His service offerings include digital, offset, and large format printing; print management; branded premiums; integrated campaign planning; fulfillment and warehousing; and global sourcing and distribution. Simply put: if it can be printed, produced, or packaged with impact, Del knows how to make it happen—on time and on brand.

Over the course of his career, Del has supported more than 100 global brands across industries, with a client roster that includes Delta, Coca-Cola, Spanx, Ritz-Carlton, Verizon, Abbott, McDonald’s, and the American Red Cross. Known for his out-of-the-box thinking, attention to detail, and relentless commitment to service, he’s the go-to partner when you want your brand to not only be seen—but remembered.

At The Mary Group, Del collaborates directly with clients to create custom print strategies that elevate campaigns, events, and everyday visibility. From tradeshow booth production and branded giveaways to executive gifts and specialty packaging, Del brings a hands-on, high-touch approach that aligns with your brand and business goals.

In addition to his work in print, Del is a celebrated mixed media artist whose abstract pieces have been featured in galleries and on screen. His artistic perspective informs his approach to visual storytelling—adding emotion, texture, and originality to every piece of work.