Mary A. Yelken is the founder of The Yelken Group, Inc. headquartered in Lincoln, Nebraska. Since 2002, Mary has provided consulting service to ITRC. Her group coordinates, manages, and supports implementation of the ITRC Training Program.  Before founding The Yelken Group, Mary worked for the Western Governors' Association (WGA) for two years as an Environmental Programs Advisor in support of the ITRC. She gained her state regulatory experience as a Superfund Program Specialist (Hydrologist) in the Hazardous Waste and Air Management Division of the Nebraska Department of Environmental Quality (NDEQ). While working for NDEQ, Mary was a project manager for variety of Superfund sites across the state. Prior to serving in state government, Mary taught high school science and also worked in environmental and agricultural laboratories. While at NDEQ, she served on the ITRC Board and was the first ITRC State Engagement Coordinator. Mary earned a bachelor of science in biology/chemistry education from the University of Nebraska in Kearney in 1990 and a master of science in water resources management from the University of Nevada in Las Vegas in 1996 and continued her education at the University of Nebraska in Lincoln focusing on an interdisciplinary approach to water resource and environmental management. Mary is a Certified Professional in Learning and Performance (CPLP) through the Association for Development (ATD).