Irvine Valley College 2013 Commencement Speaker

Mary Niven is the Vice President of Disney California Adventure® Park and Guest Services at the Disneyland® Resort in Anaheim, Calif.  In this role, Mary oversees the daily operation of Disney California Adventure® Park and is focused on ensuring the success of the second-largest expansion in the history of the Disneyland® Resort.

Mary joined the Disney team in June 2000 from the University of California – Los Angeles where she was director of Dining Services. Prior to her current role, Mary served as vice president, Food and Beverage for the Disneyland® Resort and oversaw all casual and fine dining restaurants as well as banquets and special events, room service, quick-service locations and food carts at the Resort.  With more than 25 years of restaurant experience, Mary’s other previous roles cover a broad spectrum including Regional Manager for a national food operation’s contract management company and operations manager for the 1984 Los Angeles Olympic Athlete Food Service.

Mary is nationally recognized for developing and successfully implementing the first “Marketplace” food concept in university residential dining in the United States.  She was a founding member of the College and University Resource Board, regional president for the National Association of College and University Food Service, and has been a speaker for numerous national conferences.

Mary also serves on the Board of Advisors, Collins School of Hospitality Management, California State Polytechnic University, Pomona.  Additionally, Mary mentors at Precious Life Shelter in Los Alamitos.
In February 2005, Mary was selected by the International Foodservice Manufacturers’ Association as the 2005 Silver Plate recipient in the Specialty Foodservices category, a prestigious honor within the foodservice industry.

Mary lives in Cypress, California.  Her son and daughter are both married.  Mary also has two precious granddaughters and an energetic grandson.