Richard J. Mahoney spent 33 years at Monsanto, retiring as chairman and CEO in 1995. A dedicated emeritus trustee of Washington University, he continued to serve the university as a distinguished executive-in-residence at both Olin Business School and the Weidenbaum Center on the Economy, Government, and Public Policy.
He told me: “The first third of your life: learn. The second third: earn. And the last third: return.”
Richard Mahoney on advice he received from his father
Mahoney exemplifies this philosophy through his enduring commitment to education and global collaboration. In 2019, his funding contribution established an award in honor of Chancellor Emeritus Mark S. Wrighton, founder of WashU’s McDonnell International Scholars Academy. This award recognizes outstanding McDonnell Academy alumni who embody the Academy’s mission of fostering global leadership and collaboration, further strengthening our global network.