Shannon Mantaro, Executive Director/Chief Officer, JNIWL

Shannon Mantaro serves as the Executive Director and Chief Officer of the Jane Nelson Institute for Women’s Leadership at Texas Woman’s University. Building on her previous roles as Senior Director (2021) and Director of the Center for Women Entrepreneurs (2017-2021), Mantaro has significantly expanded opportunities for women in business across Texas. Her notable achievements include establishing a comprehensive business advisement program, developing strategic incubation partnerships, and launching innovative grant initiatives—including a pivotal $1 million COVID-19 relief program for women-owned businesses.

Before joining TWU, Mantaro led Colgate University’s economic development initiatives in Hamilton, NY, as Executive Director. In this role, she managed partnerships across university and community sectors while overseeing limited liability companies with combined net assets exceeding $19 million. Earlier in her career, she served as marketing and operations director for an upstate New York economic development corporation, where she administered the Women’s Network for Entrepreneurial Training, facilitating vital networking opportunities and professional development programs for women entrepreneurs.

Mantaro holds a master’s degree in communications management from Syracuse University’s prestigious Newhouse School of Public Communications and completed a certificate in Women’s Leadership at Yale University.

Page last updated 11:51 AM, July 30, 2025