Mandy Strauss ’98 Honors Her Saint Mary’s Legacy

For Mandy Strauss ’98, stepping onto the tree-lined campus of Saint Mary’s College felt like coming home—even if her initial journey there came about almost by chance. Today, as her career as a partner with RSM US LLP has taken her across the globe as an advisor in the industrial products and consumer products industries, Strauss remains deeply tied to her alma mater. Through her generous philanthropic support, Strauss is ensuring that future generations of young women experience the same transformative education, lifelong sisterhood, and access to influential faculty that defined her own college years.

As a student, Strauss was guided by Joyce Hicks and Claude Renshaw, two highly regarded professors who took a personal interest in their students' growth. Through their mentorship, Strauss developed a deep appreciation for the discipline of accountancy, its attention to detail, and problem-solving required for business and financial analytical work. 

“I don't know if there's a soul on this planet who could not love Claude Renshaw—his style of teaching made learning special,” Strauss says. “And Joyce Hicks; back when I was entering public accounting, it was a big deal to pursue a job at one of the industry’s largest firms. I knew that didn’t feel like the right choice for me. Joyce helped me lean into my authentic self and trust that I didn’t have to go on a path just because everyone else was doing it.”

Strauss was also encouraged to consider the importance of a culture fit; how an organization fed her values. “She said, ‘Think about why you chose Saint Mary's. You didn't choose it because it was this big public school. You chose it because you wanted to know your professors and have deeper relationships with a smaller group of people.’ That insight really translated well into how I eventually chose to go to RSM. It was simple advice that was life changing for me.”

That “aha moment” still resonates for Strauss. Years later, the lessons and encouragement of those educators continue to inspire her in professional pursuits and personal values.

Inspiring Others Through Philanthropic Impact

Strauss’s deep gratitude for her Saint Mary’s education and the community that shaped her life led her to give back through a commitment to the Saint Mary’s Fund. A loyal donor for 27 consecutive years, Strauss directly empowers current and future students to pursue their passions, study abroad, and build lifelong connections with her contributions. “Because I had such a great experience, it was important to me that I give back to the organization that gave so much to me,” she said.

She started with small, cash gifts. Then, as her professional success and her personal wealth began to accumulate, Strauss consulted with her financial advisor to explore how her support  of Saint Mary’s could also provide tax benefits to her.

“My advice for everyone is to talk to your financial planner. Once I explained what I hoped to accomplish, my planner came up with a list of different options,” Strauss says, adding that implementing the plan was just a matter of connecting with the College.

For alumnae and friends of the College who are considering how best to make a meaningful impact, gifts of appreciated securities  represent a powerful and tax-efficient way to give. Donating appreciated stock allows donors to support Saint Mary’s mission while avoiding capital gains taxes and maximizing the total impact of their contribution.

“Through the Saint Mary’s Fund, my giving helps others who maybe didn’t see Saint Mary’s as an option to access the same opportunities I’ve been fortunate to have,” Strauss said. “I want current and future students to leave with the same confidence and lifelong friendships that my experience gave me.”

Strauss hopes her story will inspire fellow alumnae to reflect on their own journeys and consider how they, too, can pay it forward. Whether honoring a favorite professor, celebrating lifelong friendships, or ensuring that future women have the opportunity to study and grow at Saint Mary’s, every gift helps sustain a legacy of excellence and faith.

Rooted in a Beautiful Friendship

Looking back, Strauss smiles at the simplicity of her decision-making process when it came to selecting a college. “I picked Saint Mary’s because my good high school friend Laura Zurcher ’98 had a connection here. She applied early and told me I should apply too. And I thought, ‘Why not?’”

Though there “wasn't a lot of science to my decision making,” Strauss says this single spontaneous act led to three unforgettable years living in Le Mans Hall. “I felt very lucky as a freshman to get assigned to Le Mans," she fondly recalls. Those early residence hall memories formed the cornerstone of relationships that continue to enrich her life decades later.

The tight-knit group of friends is among the greatest treasures of Strauss’ Saint Mary’s experience. The bonds forged in Le Mans Hall and in classrooms across campus have only grown stronger with time. Strauss has found immense joy in watching her friends’ families grow.  They serve as a reminder of the enduring spirit of the Saint Mary's community.

“It's so amazing that the tradition continues,” she says.

She says it was an immersive experience that expanded her worldview and shaped her professional trajectory. During her sophomore year, she participated in Saint Mary's study abroad program in Ireland. “My sophomore year I actually spent abroad in Ireland on that program,” Strauss shares. “When I applied to Saint Mary’s, I never imagined I would spend a year in Ireland. As a first-generation college student, I didn’t know opportunities like that could be part of my college experience. It opened a world to me that I hadn’t known was possible.”

That early taste of international living sparked a lifelong passion for world travel. Recently returning home to her home in Dallas after traveling "all over the world" for a month and a half, Strauss credits her Saint Mary's experience with fostering the confidence and curiosity that fuel her global journeys today.

“There is some sort of magic that happens with the relationships created there,” she says. “I don't know if anyone can explain it. There is something about what the College has, combined with the long-lasting friendships, that I want to continue to share with as many people as I can.”

November 13, 2026