Mary Sillik, Partnership and Resource Developer

Mary is a native of Greenville and grew up camping, hiking, and canoeing all over the upstate. While earning her B.S. in Marketing at the University of South Carolina, she also ran track and cross country for the Gamecocks. Her love of the outdoors and business background led her to Nike in Beaverton, Oregon. While there, she worked in consumer research and global sales, developing extensive writing and communication skills. Mary and her family relocated to the upstate in 2011 to be close to loved ones again. She has spent the last decade teaching Pilates for Prisma Health and her home studio in Simpsonville. She is the Friends of the Reedy River partnership and resource developer, offering organizational support with our donors and sponsorships during a period of project growth.

In her spare time, Mary enjoys spending as many weekends as possible outdoors with her husband, three children, and dog Murphy. She also enjoys serving as Treasurer of the Bethel Elementary School PTA.

Q&A with Mary

Featured in the March 2024 Reedy Recap Staff Highlight

Q: What is your favorite outdoor activity (and local park, trail, etc.)?  

A: All of the activities! I'm a distance runner and really just love being active outdoors. My husband and I take our three kids and golden retriever camping a lot in our Winnebago and we spend all of our time looking for fun trails and swimming spots. My favorite place to be out on the water would have to be paddle boarding or kayaking on Lake Jocassee. And, nothing beats riding on the SRT (if it's not too crowded!) I also just love sitting on our deck and listening to the birds in our backyard.

Q: What is your all-time favorite book? 

A: Number the Stars by Lois Lowry. I read it in 7th grade, and it's been my favorite ever since. I'm in two book clubs, so if you ever need a recommendation just let me know!

Q: What is the most fun part-time job you've ever had? 

A: My most fun part-time job I have ever had is working as the Partnership and Resource Developer for Friends of the Reedy River. I have been in this role for a little over two years, working roughly 20-25 hours a week. We have the best board of directors with really unique backgrounds and interesting perspectives. And, I absolutely love working with our Watershed Scientist, Josie Newton. The best part of this job is that it never gets boring. We work on something new every day whether it is planning for our big river cleanups, meeting with our partners in the community, or working on a fundraising campaign. I can't wait to see what we get into next!