Maria Runnels has over 20 years of expertise in accounting, finance, and compliance, assisting the public and private sectors in achieving strategies. Ms. Runnels has served the City of Atlanta, Department of Finance since 2005, having progressive roles managing the Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport, General Obligation, and the Water and Wastewater debt portfolios, respectively, and currently serves as Investor Relations Manager. As Investor Relations Manager, Ms. Runnels organized the City's investors conferences in January 2023 and June 2017, implemented the City’s first investor relations website (www.buyatlantabonds.com), and has been instrumental in designing and implementing the City’s continuing disclosure practice and financial compliance measures while managing the Water and Wastewater debt portfolio.

Ms. Runnels holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Business Administration, Accounting from the University of California, Santa Barbara, an MBA in Business Administration, Marketing from Loyola Marymount University, and is a certified public accountant. She currently has the honor of serving as a member of the GFOA Committee on Governmental Debt Management.