Mary Shaheen graduated from Sidney High School in 1972. She earned her elementary education degree from SUNY Oswego in 1976.

Mary's early career can be characterized by cross-sector collaborations and partnerships that led to shared solutions to crucial human care issues. She has worked at providing afterschool programs and apprenticeships and collaborated with several agencies to become an expert advisor on early childhood, child abuse and neglect issues.

For the past 30 years, Mary has served as vice president of the United Way of New York State. She has been responsible for early childhood partnerships and coordinates the New York State Alice Project, a program promoting strategies and resources for greater economic security for the working poor.

Mary retired this year as president of 2-1-1 New York. In that capacity, she guided independent community and referral contact centers into a statewide system connecting people seeking services ranging from emergency shelter and food to COVID-19 testing. Hugh Parry, chief executive officer of New York State United Way, said, "Mary has impacted thousands of lives in New York, and very few, if any, knew she was the one to thank."

Mary is a founding member of the Women's Fund of the Capital Region, a member of the Women's Fund of Central New York and a member of Women's United/Central New York. In 2009, Mary was appointed by Gov. Patterson to the Early Childhood Advisory Council, on which she continues to serve.

Mary has had a full career of leadership and public and private service. We are proud to present Mary Devos Shaheen, Class of 72, as a Sidney Wall of Fame honoree. Mary Devos Shaheen, '72