Mary Burke

The desire to help people was the biggest driver in Mary Burke’s decision to pursue a career in insurance. That, and the fact that her father had been in the business for almost 40 years. “I knew from the start that I’d always regret it if I didn’t give it a try, and that if I were to do so, I’d only want to learn from the best,” says Mary.

A Clemson graduate, Mary returned home to Columbia in 2009 to take a job as Membership Director for the Palmetto Club. As she entered the professional arena and made contacts, she realized she was well suited to networking. She truly enjoyed making connections with people. “What was missing in my work was the ability to have a real impact on people’s lives for the long term,” reflects Mary. So in 2013, Mary made the next step in her career.

Today, Mary’s efforts are focused on helping people with their insurance needs. She provides life, disability income, and long term care insurance to individuals, families and business owners. While Mary serves a very diverse clientele, she finds that many of her clients are married professionals who are launching families or getting established in their careers. She loves to help people get their lives started on the right track, to protect what’s important to them, and to educate them on why it’s important to be proactive. “It’s those types of conversations that create the foundation for long lasting relationships with our clients,” she says.

Outside of work, Mary has served on the board of the Contemporaries at the Columbia Museum of Art, been involved with the Junior League of Columbia and Hammond School Alumni Council. She is also active in the First Presbyterian church.

Mary and her husband, Chris, are proud parents to three children. They reside in Columbia, South Carolina.