Biography
Assistant Director of Development, Annual Giving Margaret Ann Zentner leads the school’s annual fund strategy, overseeing donor engagement, communications, and fundraising initiatives that support students, faculty, and programs across Shepherd. Most notably, she spearheaded the launch of the Shepherd School’s expanded Annual Giving Program and she manages the Seat Campaign.
Prior to joining Shepherd, Margaret Ann served on both Rice’s Annual Giving and Major Gifts teams, where she significantly strengthened alumni participation and philanthropic engagement through her work on Reunion and Volunteer Giving initiatives. She holds degrees in voice from Louisiana State University and the University of North Carolina School of the Arts.
After performing on stages from the bayou to the Lyric Opera of Chicago, Margaret Ann explored expanding her skills outside of her career in music and transitioning her passions of community, connection, and creativity into the development field. She continues to sing professionally, bringing an artist's perspective to philanthropy and arts advocacy.
A native of Monroe, Louisiana, Margaret Ann is no stranger to the Houston humidity and outside the office, she’s a self-proclaimed serial hobbyist enjoying tennis, long walks, sourdough, mahjong, reading, and needlepoint.