Mary Eileen Shackleton was District 7230 Governor for the Rotary year 2020-21. Mary is a member and Past President (2015-16) of the Rotary Club of Metro New York City, when the club was awarded a Presidential Citation. She currently serves as the Endowment/Major Gifts Advisor for Zone 32 (2023-26). She was appointed by Rotary International President 2023-24 Gordon McInally as an Alternate Representative (United Nations, New York) in the Rotary Representative Network. She is also District 7230's Council on Legislation Representative (2023-26). She will chair the Mid-Northeast Multi-District Presidents-Elect Training Seminar in March 2026.In Zone 32, Mary has served as an Empowering Girls Initiative Ambassador (2021-23) and Innovative Club Advocate (2022-23). Mary was a training facilitator for 2021-22 District Governors in Zones 28 & 32.
In District 7230, Mary was a two-term Assistant Governor (2016-18) for Manhattan-area clubs. She has also served as District Rotary Foundation Chair (2022-23), Public Image Chair (2021-22), Executive Secretary (2018-19), and chaired the District Grant and Stewardship Subcommittee (2018-19). Mary co-chaired the 2020 District Conference. She graduated from the Rotary Leadership Institute in 2018. Mary is a Major Donor and member of both the Paul Harris and Bequest Societies.
Mary believes in the power of the partnership between Rotary International and Toastmasters International. She was Charter President of the Goodwill Toastmasters Club, which she co-founded with her local counterpart, Toastmasters International District Director for 2020-21, Patricia Kidwingira. Mary was an Area Director in Toastmasters International District 46 (2022-23).
Mary is a Research Specialist with the international law firm Kirkland & Ellis, LLP. She received a B.A. (Communication) from Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN. Mary went on to receive a J.D. from the Maurer School of Law, Indiana University, Bloomington, IN, and a M.I.L.S. from the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI. She is a member of the American Association of Law Libraries, the International Legal Technology Association, and the Law Library Association of Greater New York. Mary was admitted to the Indiana Bar in 1988.
Mary is a proud Midwest farmer's daughter and fourth-generation Rotarian. Her paternal great-grandfather, Evan Shackleton, joined the Rotary Club of Attica-Williamsport, IN (USA) in 1938, followed by his son, Hubert B., some years later. Both parents (Hubert J. and Wilma) have served as the club's president. Mary and her mother were serving Assistant Governors at the same time. Her paternal aunt (Suzann Shackleton) also remains an active Rotarian.
Mary enjoys photography, reading, baking when she can, travel, exploring NYC, all water sports, dancing, and especially meeting Rotarians. She is a life-long fan of the Purdue Boilermakers, Chicago Cubs, and most sports.