Mary Kolar

Mary Kolar (born 1965) is an American retired military officer and politician who is the Wisconsin Secretary-designee of Veterans Affairs in the Administration of Governor-elect Tony Evers.

Kolar received a Bachelor's Degree in Marketing from the University of Wisconsin–La Crosse, a Master's degree in Adult Education from the University of Rhode Island, and a Master's Degree in National Security and Strategic Studies from the Naval War College.

Kolar served 28 years on active duty for the United States Navy, retiring with the rank of Captain. Kolar later worked as the Director of Public Operations for the Madison Museum of Contemporary Art.

Kolar was elected President of the Metropolitan Place Condominium Owners and served from 2009-2014.

Kolar was elected to the Dane County, Wisconsin Board of Supervisors in 2013. She also served three terms on the Wisconsin Counties Association Board of Directors. While on the county board, Kolar served as the Chairperson of the Dane County Veterans Service Commission, Chair of the Zoning and Land Regulation Committee, Co-Chair of the City-County Liaison Committee, Vice Chair of the Dane County Housing Authority, Chair of the Healthy Farms Healthy Lakes Task Force, member of the Lakes and Watershed Commission, and member of the Cultural Affairs Commission. Kolar also served as the Vice President of the Wisconsin Veterans Museum Foundation.

In 2019, Kolar was appointed by Governor of Wisconsin Tony Evers to serve as his Secretary of Veterans Affairs.