Maura Kate Costello brings over 10 years of experience developing and executing marketing plans and event promotion strategies to the OPEN MINDS team. She is a mission driven communicator, committed to amplifying impact through clear and resonant storytelling.

Prior to joining OPEN MINDS, Ms. Costello was a Science Writer and Editor at the National Cancer Institute, Division of Cancer Epidemiology and Genetics. In this position, she was responsible for communications strategy and content development. Ms. Costello crafted compelling copy that translated complex research on population health, health equity, and genetics into accessible, accurate messages for diverse audiences. She also led revisions of patient-facing materials, designed and edited print materials on rare cancer predisposition syndromes to disseminate research findings and strengthen communication between study participants and investigators.

Previously, with the National Cancer Institute, Ms. Costello was lead media liaison. In this role, she pitched publications for press releases, briefings, and media coverage to elevate institutional impact. She coordinated more than seventy-five annual media interviews with subject matter experts, often with high-profile media. Ms. Costello also developed leadership messaging for advisory board meetings.

Before her work with the National Cancer Institute, she was in freelance communications. She worked on many diverse projects, including Exhibit Panel Designer for the New York Encounter, Director of Communications for Communion and Liberation’s (CL) Good Friday Procession on the National Mall, Lead Editor for Silva Technologies, Inc.; and Writer, Editor and Designer for Traces the Magazine of CL.

Early in her career, Ms. Costello was an educator, first as an English and math teacher at Fontbonne Hall Academy and later as an instructor of English at the University of Maryland.

Ms. Costello has a Master of Arts in English Literature from the University of Maryland College Park and a Bachelor of Science degree in Biochemistry and English literature from Manhattan University, Riverdale, NY.