Maria Runnels

Maria Runnels brings over two decades of distinguished expertise in finance, investor relations, compliance, and accounting, driving transformative financial strategies across both public and private sectors. As a leader within the City of Atlanta’s Department of Finance, she has managed several of the City’s high-level portfolios over her career — Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport, General Obligation/General Fund, and, currently, Water and Wastewater — executing sustainable fiscal solutions that strengthen the City’s financial position.

Ms. Runnels has spearheaded the City’s Finance Investors Conferences, elevated disclosure and compliance standards, and served as a trusted subject matter expert on high-impact initiatives integrating finance and sustainability. She has been a featured panelist at GFOA’s Annual Conference and MiniMuni events, shaping discourse on voluntary disclosures, ESG risks, and municipal credit strategies.

Ms. Runnels is also a Certified Public Accountant, holding a B.A. in Business Administration (Accounting) from the University of California, Santa Barbara, and an MBA in Marketing from Loyola Marymount University. She currently serves as Vice Chair of the GFOA Committee on Governmental Debt Management, promoting sound financial practices for local, state, and provincial governments.