Mary Liz Wright is passionate about the people of east-central Illinois. She feels that Extension education is especially vital to local residents who have limited resources.

By emphasizing nutrition and wellness education, Extension can empower people to make good life choices. Wright believes that people who are well fed tend to do better, make better choices, and have better lives. Alleviating hunger and nutrition-related problems works toward the realistic goals of long-term steady employment for parents, and children who graduate from high school ready to go on to higher-level training and/or education - ultimately going on to become productive members of their communities.

Wright earned a bachelor's degree in theology from Loyola University of Chicago and a master's degree in family and consumer science from Eastern Illinois University. She is a member of the family and consumer science professional organizations, NEAFCS and IEAFCS.

Wright is a life-long resident of Edgar County. She is a firm believer in community service and is currently involved as a director on the following boards: Edgar County Fair, Edgar County Community Foundation, Compassionate Food Ministries, Unit # 4 School Board, and the Paris Cooperative High School Board. She is a member of St. Mary's Catholic Church in Paris. She and her husband, Phil, are the parents of three daughters; Madden, Agnes and Nora . She and her family are avid gardeners and raise beef cattle, hogs and sheep on their Edgar County farm. In her spare time Mary Liz likes to read, listen to classical music and walk on unpaved ground.