Department of Finance Directors

Mary Ann Graves was the first female Director of Finance and was appointed by Governor Edmund G. Brown Jr. on August 21, 1979. She earned a bachelor’s degree from the University of Missouri, graduating first in her class. She worked for the Federal Reserve System, House Banking Committee, and Bureau of the Budget. Until appointed director by Governor Brown, Graves was the Vice President of Bank of America. A loosely knit association of women with the goal of appointing women to top-level government and business posts, called the “Old Girls Network,” suggested to Governor Brown appointing Graves to the position.