Shaila Aery

Dr. Aery has well-established, bi-partisan relationships with political leaders throughout Maryland and the nation. She served for three years as Chief of Staff to U.S. Senator Barbara Mikulski (D-MD) and six years as Maryland’s Secretary of Higher Education under former Governor William Schaefer. Dr. Aery came to Maryland after serving as Missouri Commissioner of Higher Education for two governors, current U.S. Senator Kit Bond and former U.S. Attorney General John Ashcroft. In addition, she served on the Transition Committee for Governor Robert Ehrlich (R-MD). Prior to The Artemis Group, Dr. Aery was President of The Hawthorn Group, a public affairs and consulting firm, where she provided senior counsel on technology, energy, education and health issues. Dr. Aery earned a doctorate from Oklahoma State University and also studied at Claremont Graduate College and Harvard University’s Kennedy School of Government. She has served as a faculty member, administrator, and board member at several universities. Shaila Aery has more than 30 years of experience at the highest levels of state and federal government. Her expertise includes government relations, appropriations, and education policy.