Jeannine Shao Collins ’86

Jeannine Shao Collins ’86, chief client officer at multiplatform advertising and media company Kargo, will deliver the 2026 address at the University-wide Commencement ceremony on Friday, May 15. The 176th ceremony will be held in Fauver Stadium at the Brian F. Prince Athletic Complex on the River Campus and will mark the conferral of academic degrees for both undergraduate and graduate students.

A widely respected leader in media, advertising, and innovation, Shao Collins leads global client strategy, partnerships, and brand success across Kargo’s premium digital media platform. She is recognized for her transformative impact on the industry and her commitment to advancing diverse communities in media. She founded Girl Starter, a media and technology company dedicated to empowering young women entrepreneurs through storytelling, experiential education, and access to opportunity. In addition, she served as president of SeeHer, the industry’s leading global initiative focused on improving the accurate representation of women and girls in advertising and media.

“I am honored to welcome back to campus Jeannine Shao Collins as our Commencement speaker,” said University President Sarah Mangelsdorf. “She has truly embodied Meliora with her commitment to empowering young women to become entrepreneurs and leaders. She has driven forward her vision for equality with a passion and tenacity that I hope our graduates carry forward. I am excited for her to share her perspective, wisdom and encouragement with the Class of 2026.”

Prior to Kargo, Shao Collins served as chief innovation officer at Meredith Corporation, where she drove enterprise-wide innovation across content, technology, and audience engagement for one of the largest media companies in the United States. Her work reshaped how iconic media brands connected with modern, multicultural audiences and advertisers.

Shao Collins earned a bachelor’s degree in economics from URochester and has been recognized with some of the advertising industry’s highest honors, including receiving Adweek’s Publishing Executive of the Year award; being named a Woman to Watch by Advertising Age; and being designated a Top Woman in Media 2025 by AdMonsters and AdExchanger. She also received the Changing the Game Award from She Runs It for advancing gender equality and the Innovator Award from The Advertising Club of New York; was named a Talent Champion by the ANA Educational Foundation; and has been honored by Cosmetic Executive Women for her leadership and influence. She was inducted into both the Media Industry Newsletter Hall of Fame and the American Advertising Federation Hall of Achievement.