Irene Marianos ’99

Irene Marianos ’99 appreciates how her garden in rural Pennsylvania allows her to cultivate patience. “I love to watch what happens over those couple of months, from the time I plant, and then I enjoy it all over again the next year. Gardening is not about instant gratification.”

For Irene, a first-generation college student from Queens, New York, the seeds of enduring personal growth were planted at Mount Holyoke. She was immediately enamored of the beauty of the campus. “It was that quintessential New England college with the brick buildings, the trees, the Gates…” she recalled. The College’s gardens were soon among her favorite spots on campus for quiet contemplation.

A philosophy and politics major who was also fascinated with the sciences, Irene gained a deep appreciation for the liberal arts while at Mount Holyoke. “Looking back, I realize I wanted to learn a lot about a lot,” she said. She credits high-caliber faculty across her courses with initiating a “lifelong ember for discovery and exploration.”

“I was having ‘eureka moments’ continuously throughout those four years,” said Irene. “That interdisciplinary perspective has helped me to think outside the box throughout my career.”

Today, Irene is a group chief financial officer for a network of behavioral health hospitals throughout Pennsylvania, a role that combines her varied interests. She also teaches courses in business and accounting. Studying at a women’s college indelibly shaped her leadership style.

“At Mount Holyoke, we were always encouraged to speak up and express our opinions,” said Irene. “I still use what I learned in many of my philosophy classes when making arguments, writing an email or understanding my thought process when problem-solving.”

When Irene received a mailer about charitable gift annuities from Mount Holyoke, she knew this would be a wonderful way for her to give back to the College. The opportunity to create a gift that would one day provide her with a steady source of income struck her as “a trifecta of benefit for my current self, my future self and Mount Holyoke.” This flexible charitable gift annuity allowed for an immediate tax deduction, and in a few years’ time, she’ll enjoy receiving regular payments from the annuity. As importantly, Irene added, “You get to support an institution that aligns with your values.” She further appreciated that she could designate her gift to support the Mount Holyoke College Art Museum, another favorite place on campus.

Much like the anticipation of planting a garden, Irene looks forward to the ways in which her annuity will one day benefit herself and Mount Holyoke students. She hopes that the College will continue to inspire others to strive for daily growth, just as it did for her.

“By being better versions of ourselves, we encourage others to be better versions of themselves,” said Irene. “That’s my philosophy.”