Ceci Maher

Catherine Cecilia Maher (née Queeney; born November 19, 1953)^[1] is an American executive and politician. She currently serves as a member of the Connecticut State Senate, representing District 26, which encompasses Darien, New Canaan, Redding, Ridgefield, Stamford, Weston, Westport and Wilton. She is a member of the Democratic Party.

Ceci Maher
Member of the Connecticut State Senate from the 26th district
Incumbent
Assumed office January 4, 2023
Preceded by	Will Haskell
Personal details
Born	Catherine Cecilia Queeney (1953-11-19) November 19, 1953 (age 71)
Political party	Democratic
Spouse	Gordon Roberts Maher ​ ​ (m. 1980; died 2020)​
Children	3, including Katherine
Residence(s)	Wilton, Connecticut, U.S.
Education	University of Massachusetts Amherst (BS) Columbia University (MS)
Website	cecimaher.com

Early life and education

Maher was born Catherine Cecilia Queeney to John Hart Queeney and Rosalie (née Kirby) Queeney.^[2][3] She was one of six children and was raised primarily in Stamford, Connecticut, where she attended the local schools. She completed a Bachelor of Science in fashion merchandising at University of Massachusetts Amherst. In 1995, Maher completed a Master of Social Work at Columbia University in New York.^[4][5]

Career

Maher started her career at the department store Lord & Taylor in 1977 and worked for several years for department stores such as Target Corporation. She later became an executive at various non-profit organizations in Connecticut, such as Sandy Hook Promise.^[6][7]

Politics

In 2019, Maher unsuccessfully ran for the board of selectmen of Wilton, Connecticut.^[6] In 2022, she was endorsed by the Democratic Party for the Connecticut State Senate.^[8] She was elected in the primary election on November 8, 2022, succeeding incumbent Will Haskell.^[9] She assumed office on January 4, 2023, and currently serves as chair of the Children's committee and vice chair of the Higher Education & Employment Advancement committee. She is also a member of Energy & Technology, Human Services, Internship and Judiciary committees.^[10]

Personal life

Maher married Gordon Roberts Maher, a Goldman Sachs banking executive, on September 7, 1980.^[3] He died on October 5, 2020. Maher has three grown children, including Katherine Maher, and resides in Wilton, Connecticut.^[11]