Announcing the retirement of Mary Anne Alhadeff

Dear Texas Woman’s Colleagues,

Today is one of those bittersweet moments when I write to share news of the retirement of a dear colleague on my leadership team. Mary Anne Alhadeff, executive director/chief officer for the Jane Nelson Institute for Women’s Leadership, announced she is retiring on May 12. We will honor her service to the state and institution on Wednesday, May 10 at 3 pm, 2nd-floor rotunda in the Old Main Building. Please join us as you are able for cake and to toast a great woman leader!

Mary Anne came to Texas Woman’s in February 2020 after a 40-year career in public broadcasting, including 20 years as the top executive at stations in Maine, North Dakota, and here, at KERA in Dallas. Under her leadership, the JNIWL:

Hosted Texas First Lady, the institute’s namesake, elected officials, and business/non-profit leaders at the grand opening for the JNIWL.
Opened the Sue S. Bancroft Women’s Leadership Hall to the public in September 2022. To date, more than 2,000 people have visited the gallery.
Served more than 200 Texas Woman’s students through two leadership scholarship programs in the Center for Student Leadership—President’s Leadership Council and Legacy Leaders, as well as its leadership honor society Omicron Delta Kappa.
Awarded more than $5 million for research focused on women’s leadership across the institution.
Launched AccelerateHER, a women’s business incubation program in Denton, Dallas, Houston, and Abilene through the Center for Women Entrepreneurs.

Despite the timing of her arrival at Texas Woman’s, Mary Anne managed to immerse herself in the culture of Texas Woman’s. Today, everyone knows Mary Anne. She worked tirelessly to weave this institute for women’s leadership into the fabric of the university. Under her watch, we reimagined a bedrock value that this university and the institute share in positioning women’s leadership as a value proposition onto the main stage. The progress of the JNIWL is substantial and consequential thanks to Mary Anne’s leadership.

Shannon Mantaro has agreed to step into the role as interim executive director/chief officer for the institute. Shannon first came to Texas Woman’s in 2017 as director of what is now the Center for Women Entrepreneurs. Shannon’s position has changed variously as the center evolved into a women’s leadership institute with its current three centers. I am immensely grateful for her continued leadership while we conduct a national search for a new executive director/chief officer.

This institute is a valuable state asset for advancing women entrepreneurs and women in politics and public policy, inspiring the next generation of young women into leadership, and raising the visibility of today’s pioneering women on the national landscape. It fits hand-in-glove with the mission and brand of the university.
Please join me in thanking Mary Anne for all she has given to the institution, state, and nation through her years of dedication, hard work, talents, and spirit of servant leadership.

With a pioneering spirit,

Carine M. Feyten, Ph.D.
Chancellor and President

Page last updated 10:13 AM, May 3, 2023