Mary Tonita Austin

Mary Tonita Austin is running for the Rose Tree Media School Board. With years of experience in the financial industry and as a community activist, she aims to ensure equitable education and resources for all students and be a voice for parents seeking support for children with special needs.

As the founder of The Wealth Activator, Austin has provided accounting, tax, and financial consulting services for over 25 years. She plans to use her professional expertise to ensure responsible budget management and equitable resource allocation that benefits students, teachers, and the community.

Her entrepreneurial spirit is matched by her commitment to social impact, exemplified by her role as CFO of YEAHPhilly, a nonprofit focused on empowering youth. Her experience with youth advocacy agencies gives her a unique perspective on creating inclusive and empowering school policies. Austin is also a published author with deep ties to Philadelphia’s artist community, allowing her to bring creative problem-solving to all her endeavors.

Austin’s activism is driven by justice and equity. In 2017, she co-founded the Delaware County Coalition for Prison Reform, leading a successful campaign to de-privatize Pennsylvania’s only private jail. She also works with the Care Not Control coalition, Voices for Children Coalition, and Delaware County Juvenile Diversion Committee, advocating for youth justice and systemic change. She led a campaign to prevent the reopening of a local juvenile detention center due to confirmed allegations of abuse and neglect, resulting in plans to demolish the center and explore humane alternatives for youth detention.

Austin also currently serves on the Upper Providence Township Planning Commission where she contributes to community development. Her work on the planning commission and as a community organizer has honed her listening skills, which she will use to strengthen the partnership between schools and families, ensuring every voice is heard.

A Philadelphia native and University of Pennsylvania alumna, Austin moved to Upper Providence Township in 1999. She is the proud mother of two children who were both educated in Rose Tree Media schools. Austin is a seasoned entrepreneur, community activist, and youth advocate with decades of experience. If elected, she will empower our youth by ensuring equitable education for all, strengthen community ties, and bring financial accountability to our schools.