Shannon Maher

Shannon Maher serves as the dean for the Jay and Patty Baker School of Business and Technology, overseeing its 10 dynamic associate and baccalaureate programs. A champion of forward-thinking education, Dean Maher fosters an ecosystem where creative industries meet cutting-edge business strategy. Her leadership focuses on academic excellence, industry integration, and preparing students to lead in an ever-evolving global marketplace.

Dean Maher’s deep roots within the Fashion Institute of Technology (FIT) community fuel her vision. From 2013 to 2020, she was a faculty member and chair of the Home Products Development Department, while serving with distinction on various collegewide and Faculty Senate committees. Notably, following the school’s 2018 Accreditation Council for Business Schools and Programs (ACBSP) accreditation, she led the committee for continuous improvement and reporting, a process she now officially oversees as dean. She also serves on the strategic planning committee for the #futureforward initiative, helping shape FIT’s long-term vision.

Before transitioning to academia, Dean Maher spent two decades in the manufacturing and retail sectors of the apparel and home industries. She joined FIT from Hanover Direct, Inc., a multi-brand e-commerce corporation, where she was senior vice president for product development and global sourcing. Leveraging her expertise in merchandising, sourcing, and strategy, she built a strong profile as a strategic product development consultant for major corporations, including Ross Stores, AlixPartners, SUN Capital, and KPMG.

Deeply embedded in her field, Dean Maher lends her executive expertise to several leading organizations. She serves on the internal advisory board for the New York Fashion Innovation Center (NYFIC), sits on the board of directors for the International Furnishings and Design Association (IFDA), and acts as the educational advisor for the Home Fashions Products Association (HFPA). Additionally, she holds an active membership in the American Association of Textile Chemists and Colorists (AATCC) and earned her Greenleaders Certificate from the Sustainable Furnishings Council, reflecting her commitment to eco-conscious practices.

Dean Maher earned her Bachelor of Arts, summa cum laude, in fashion marketing and merchandising from Marymount University, her Master of Arts in integrated marketing communications from Marist College, and a higher education teaching certificate from the Derek Bok Center for Teaching and Learning at Harvard University.