Board Member

Mary Niven

Vice President
Disney California Adventure & Guest Services
The Disneyland Resort

 

Background Information

Tantalizing treats and thirst-quenching drinks are just a few of the thousands of products Mary Niven manages as vice president, Food and Beverage for the Disneyland Resort which serves millions of Guests each year. Supervising a talented team of more than 4,800 Cast Members, Mary is responsible for all the casual and fine dining restaurants at the Resort as well as banquets and special events, room service, quick-service locations and food carts. Recently, in addition to her role at the Disneyland Resort, Mary was named Food & Beverage Synergy and Franchise leader for Global Products and Services. In this role, she works with Products and Services and segment partners to support ongoing and future priorities, such as “Where Dreams Come True” campaign and future Pirates and Princesses.

Mary joined the Disney team in June 2000, bringing over 25 years of restaurant experience to the Resort. She came from the University of California – Los Angeles where she was director of Dining Services. Her broad base of restaurant experience includes roles as 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 and on the Steering Committee for the Cal State University Systemwide Strategic Planning project.

In February 2005, Mary was selected by th e 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 , has a grown son, and a daughter & son-in-law who are parents to her precious granddaughter and energetic grandson.

Mary Niven
Vice President
Disney California Adventure
& Guest Services
Disneyland Resort