A successful businesswoman and well-known political leader, Congresswoman Mary Bono was hailed as the "embodiment of powerful American womanhood" by the Washington Times, rising to become Chairman of the influential U.S. House Subcommittee on Commerce, Manufacturing and Trade.

Today, she is widely recognized as a national leader on privacy and technology issues as well as an outspoken advocate on issues important to women. Congresswoman Bono was elected in 1998 to serve California's 44th (later changed to 45th) Congressional District. And in 2012, she became the first ever Chairman of the Women's Policy Committee (WPC) in the House.

Bono established herself as a respected and closely-watched leader on a wide range of critically important issues while serving 8 terms in Congress (1998-2013).  She focused her chairmanship on technology, job creation and consumer protection.  In addition, she's been at the forefront of the nationwide fight against prescription drug abuse, which impacts millions of teenagers across the United States and is now the fastest-growing drug problem in America and recognized by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention as a public health epidemic.

Bono 's selection as Subcommittee Chairman for the 112th Congress was historic, made her the first Republican woman in American history to hold a gavel on the powerful Energy and Commerce Committee, one of the oldest standing committees in the U.S. House of Representatives, dating back to 1795. 

Mary previously served as Principal for Faegre Baker Daniels Consulting. Currently, Mary is on the board of directors for both Community Anti-Drug Coalitions of America (CADCA) and the Former Members of Congress Association. She is also the Chairman and CEO for Mothers Against Prescription Drug Abuse (MAPDA).  She is married to former astronaut Admiral Steve Oswald (U.S. Navy, Retired) and is mother to Chesare Bono, Chianna Bono, stepmother to Chaz Bono and a grandmother of two.