Theresa McShan, Mayor, City of Elgin
Theresa Yvonne McShan is the daughter of S.H. and Mattie McShan and a lifelong resident of Elgin. She has two children and six grandchildren.
Theresa is a member of the Mt. Pleasant Missionary Baptist Church in Elgin where she serves as the church musician and choir director, Sunday School teacher and Youth Director. Theresa has been a church musician for more than 50 years and loves to sing gospel. She gives freely not only to her church, but to non-profit organizations who are affiliated with cancer, diabetes, food banks, and United Way of Texas.
Theresa is a leader and life-long learner with a servant heart. From the beginning of her academic training, she held many leadership positions in organizations such as science club, student council, National Honor Society, Future Homemakers of America, a cheerleader, and the first African American twirler and drum major of the Elgin High School band.
Theresa believes in being involved in her community. She served nine years on the Elgin City Council, served as vice-president and president of the Elgin Main Street Board. Over the years she has served on Envision Elgin and EISD Advisory Council. Theresa was awarded Most Worthy Citizen in 2004. She has volunteered for more than 26 years on the annual Hogeye Festival committee for which she received the honor of being crowned Queen Sowpreme in 2013. Theresa was also awarded The Esther Award in 2014 for her work in the African American church community.
Theresa’s professional career includes many successful transitions between agencies with her final role in human resources as supervisor of employee programs at the Health and Human Services Commission, an agency with more than 35,000 employees.
During her 35 years serving in state government, Theresa was known as the person who could get things done, leading change in many significant areas. She established the HHSC Mother-Friendly program, which designated 41 lactation rooms across the state and created onsite wellness activities for employees, a program which received an honor at the Annual Mayor’s Health and Fitness Awards.
She also received an award for most increased employee participation for her coordination of the State Employee Charitable Campaign (SECC) and the Barbara Jordan Award for her leadership and success in implementing the online giving system. Under Theresa’s leadership and her passion for mentoring students, the HHSC Internship Program expanded from a summer-only program to year-round. She was recently recognized for her work on behalf of HHSC with the Dr. Emmett Conrad Leadership Program, sponsored by Senator Royce West. Theresa retired in August 2021 from HHSC.
Theresa is the current president of Executive Women in Texas Government. She began attending the EWTG conference in 2006 and served as a member of the registration committee and later as chair of the registration, exhibits, and evaluation committees, as well as a moderator when needed. The past few years she has served on the conference planning committee, mentorship and strategic planning committees and regularly attends workshops and luncheons, as well as special events throughout the year. In the role of president, Theresa is responsible for setting the leadership theme and tone for the year, as well as overseeing the work of EWTG directors and committee chairs, including the Presidential Advisory Committee.
Theresa has a medical assistant certification, associate degree in applied science — respiratory therapist, bachelor of science in management with a minor in human resources and a master’s degree in health education.
On May 7, 2022, the City of Elgin voted Theresa the first African American female mayor in 150 years of its existence.
Page last updated 12:42 PM, September 11, 2023