Biography
Mary Eileen Shackleton served as District 7230 Governor in 2020-21. Mary is a member and Past President (2015-16) of the Rotary Club of Metro New York City. She is also District 7230's Council on Legislation Representative (2023-26) and Deputy Governor-Areas (2024-25). She will chair the Mid-Northeast Multi-District Presidents-Elect Learning Seminar in March 2026 and is Treasurer of the MDP Alliance. Mary is also one of the founders of the Rotary Action Group for Girls Empowerment (2025) and an Alternate Representative (UN Women, New York) in the Rotary Representative Network (2023-25).
Mary is an active member of the Zone 32 regional leader team, serving as the Endowment/Major Gifts Advisor for Region 39 (2023-26). In Zone 32, Mary has served as an Empowering Girls Initiative Ambassador (2021-23) and Assistant Rotary Coordinator (2022-23). Mary was a training facilitator for 2021-22 District Governors in Zones 28 & 32.
In District 7230, Mary served as Vice Governor (2022-23) and 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. She received the Regional Service Award for a Polio-Free World in 2023.
Mary received recognition as a Distinguished Toastmaster (2025) and 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 was honored to moderate a storytelling webinar co-sponsored by Rotary International and Toastmasters International that featured two past World Champions of Public Speaking in April 2024.
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 became a member of 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) is also a Rotarian.
Mary enjoys photography, reading, baking when she can, travel, exploring NYC, all water sports, dancing, and most especially meeting members of the Rotary family. She is a life-long fan of the Purdue Boilermakers, Chicago Cubs, and most sports.