Leadership

 Janet Steinmayer became the 7th President of Lesley University in July 2019, and has been a member of its Board of Trustees since 2010. During her tenure, the university has collaboratively created a Strategic Framework focused on its core strengths in education, mental health, art and design, liberal arts and business and the unique Threshold Programs for neurodiverse young adults. Under that Strategic Framework, the university is closing the gap between education and employment with a unique model that connects students with employer-partners with guaranteed internships on point of admission to Lesley, making the pathway into these key and critically-needed professions easier to navigate. Lesley has also launched a Professional Learning Center, providing resources to support these professionals throughout their careers. The university is also completing a $100 million renovation of its three campuses to provide a state of the art and welcoming environment in support of its mission.

Prior to joining Lesley, Janet was the President of Mitchell College in New London, Connecticut. Under her leadership, the college developed a unique, ability-driven educational model, accomplished a multi-million dollar campus renovation project and fostered connections for students with community partners. She started her career as a corporate lawyer in New York, served as General Counsel of Trans World Airlines and CEO of Centerplate, a large hospitality company serving major league sports and entertainment venues. 

Janet received her undergraduate degree from Bryn Mawr College, magna cum laude with honors in English and History, and her J.D. from the University of Chicago. She is an Emerita Trustee of Bryn Mawr College, where she served on the Board for 21 years, and of The Southport School where she chaired the Board. She is serving or has served on the Boards of numerous corporate and not-for-profit boards, including The Nantucket Atheneum, the National Center for Learning Disabilities, the Fairfield County and Cambridge Community Foundations, the Lyman-Allyn Art Museum, business councils in Stamford and Bridgeport, Connecticut, Command Security Corporation, and the Connecticut Council of Independent Colleges.