Mary-Kate O’Leary has been named the executive director of A Wish Come True.

“Ms. O’Leary comes to us with over 25 years of nonprofit experience including being a CEO at numerous children and youth focused organizations across the country before returning home to New England,” reads a release issued by the non-profit board of directors.

Over the last two years, O’Leary was the Vice President of Philanthropy and Public Relations at Tides Family Services.   She has also been a nonprofit consultant with an emphasis on strategic and organizational planning, professional development training and team building and fundraising.

“We are thrilled to have an executive director in place that has extensive experience with nonprofit business development and someone who truly understands the mission. The sky is the limit for A Wish Come True and our future is bright,” said Lori Francisco, Board Chair.

O’Leary’s passion is to help children and families reach their dreams.

“This cause is near and dear to my heart and I look forward to working directly with the families who need us most.   I also look forward to connecting community partners and donors to our mission,” O’Leary said in a statement.

A Wish Come True, Inc. is the oldest wish granting organization in Rhode Island and southeastern Massachusetts. Since 1982, over 1,500 children have received the “wish” of a lifetime. It is a local organization, not affiliated with any national foundation. Its mission is to grant wishes for local children between 3 to 18 years of age with life-threatening illnesses.