Dear Members of the Yale Community,
I write to share the news that after nearly a decade of distinguished leadership at Yale, Jack Callahan, senior vice president for operations, intends to retire this year. During his tenure, Jack has given his utmost to this institution. I am grateful he has agreed to continue serving until I complete the search process for a successor—a testament to his unwavering dedication.
Jack’s contributions to Yale are immeasurable. His strategic vision and steadfast leadership have helped to advance the university’s mission and enhance our reputation as a global leader in higher education. Notably, Jack’s portfolio extends to the whole of Yale, encompassing facilities, campus development, and sustainability; finance and administration; human resources; technology and campus services; and New Haven affairs and university properties, among other departments. The energy Jack has devoted to each of these core functions has not limited his ability to excel in all of them.
Since inaugurating his role in 2016, Jack has guided Yale toward realizing our ambitious university priorities. During a period of historic growth, our campus has increased the undergraduate student body by over 15 percent; expanded support for all faculty, students, and staff; and grown our research and teaching capacity by thousands of square feet of new and renovated spaces. Overall, the university’s operating budget for the fiscal year 2025 surpasses $6 billion in support of our people, programs, and projects; this is more than a 75 percent increase since Jack began his service at Yale.
As Jack oversaw significant, sustained growth, he also demonstrated exceptional agility in the face of unprecedented challenges. When the COVID-19 pandemic began, he rapidly adapted every aspect of the university’s operations to ensure the continuity of our mission, all while prioritizing the health and safety of our community. As the pandemic eased, Jack worked closely with faculty and staff across the university to foster the operational resilience vital to Yale’s return to full, in-person teaching and learning.
Jack’s service to Yale and to New Haven has been a true labor of love, rooted in his deep connection to both communities. A Yale College alumnus and third-generation New Havener, Jack’s personal dedication to his alma mater and hometown shines through his many achievements. He shaped Yale’s historic $140 million investment in New Haven and launched the OneFinance initiative to simplify and standardize financial functions across the university; the Learning Strategic Initiative to position Yale as a leader in employee learning and development, further reinforcing our reputation as a workplace of choice; and the Recruiting Initiative to modernize and simplify Yale’s staff hiring process, enhancing our ability to attract a highly talented workforce. There perhaps has been no better person to oversee such a sprawling set of responsibilities, each reflecting Jack’s commitment to the community he holds dear.
Throughout his service, Jack’s focus on employee development has extended beyond policy and programs. He personally hired, mentored, and elevated many members of the university’s senior leadership team, providing them with the tools and opportunities to thrive. His efforts to identify, nurture, and advance emerging talent have fostered a new generation of leaders poised to carry forward his legacy of excellence.
I will soon launch a search for Jack’s successor. Jack’s many accomplishments serve not only Yale’s immediate operational needs but also lay a strong foundation for future innovation and enhancements that will support faculty, students, and staff working to realize Yale’s mission.
Please join me in thanking Jack for his outstanding service to Yale. He will always be part of the Yale community, and I look forward to the work we will do together with the operations team in the months ahead.
Sincerely,
Maurie McInnis
President
Professor of the History of Art