Susan McDonnell has been affiliated with the Giants her entire life. The second child and oldest daughter of the late Ann and Wellington Mara, Susan has attended hundreds of games and had a front row seat as her father became one of the most influential owners in NFL history and an inductee into the Pro Football Hall of Fame. Her grandfather, Timothy James Mara, founded the Giants in 1925 and is also enshrined in Canton.
In addition to her duties as a Board Director, McDonnell is closely involved with the Community Relations Department and actively supports and volunteers for many of its programs. She is also passionate about preserving the history of the franchise, which has been in her family for a century. McDonnell was involved in the curation of the Legacy Club at MetLife Stadium, which includes artifacts from every era of the team along with the recreation of Wellington Mara's desk with his personal effects.
McDonnell brought to life her father's long-lost letters from his service in the United States Navy during World War II. While on the ship, Wellington Mara's frequent written correspondence with his parents, Tim and Lizette, and his brother, Jack, provided intimate insights and details of his military experiences.
A portion was made public for the first time in recent years. McDonnell served as executive producer on a special episode of "Giants Chronicles," which earned a New York Emmy Award nomination. McDonnell also produced a 600-page book on his letters, including a foreword by two-time Super Bowl champion head coach Tom Coughlin.
As a member of the "100 Seasons" committee, McDonnell coordinated with NFL Films on "The Duke" – a documentary that looked at the life of Wellington Mara and how the Giants' patriarch helped transform the National Football League from a 1930s afterthought into America's Game.
Susan and her husband John have three children and six grandchildren.
