Abbott Appoints Radler to Texas Woman's Board
Fort Worth philanthropist Rienke Radler was named to the Texas Woman's University Board of Regents last month.
Updated on Nov. 6, 2026 in People
Live Poll
Do you trust governor-appointed university regents to put students' interests first?
Gov. Greg Abbott appointed Fort Worth philanthropist Rienke Radler to the Texas Woman's University Board of Regents last month. Radler is set to join the regents at the upcoming February meeting.
Why it matters
The appointment places a Fort Worth philanthropist with a background in physiotherapy and Christian nonprofit leadership on the governing board of a Texas public university. It adds a new voice to the regents as the board sets institutional direction for the state's women's university.
Radler's regent term expires in February 2029, and she earned a Bachelor of Science degree in physiotherapy at the University of the Free State in South Africa. Her specific contributions to board business have not been outlined in the appointment.
The players
Greg Abbott
Greg Abbott is the Governor of Texas, who made the appointment of Radler to the Texas Woman's University Board of Regents.
Rienke Radler
Rienke Radler is a Fort Worth philanthropist with a physiotherapy background who has led volunteer work with Bible Study Fellowship and serves as a director of the Radler Foundation.
Texas Woman's University
Texas Woman's University is a public university in Denton, Texas, historically focused on women's education, whose Board of Regents oversees its governance.
The details
Radler, a Fort Worth philanthropist who previously served as a gubernatorial appointee, was named by Abbott to the TWU board. She worked as a physiotherapist in South Africa and the United Kingdom, is an emeritus of the Jane Nelson Institute for Women's Leadership advisory council, and is a director of the Radler Foundation.
Timeline
Radler volunteered with Bible Study Fellowship from 2019 to 2021 and became an administrative leader in 2021.
Gov. Abbott made the appointment last month, in October 2026.
Radler joins the regents at the upcoming February 2027 meeting.
Her regent term expires in February 2029.
Market Landscape
Governors in Texas routinely fill public university boards, and Abbott's selection of a philanthropist with nonprofit ties follows that established pattern. The move keeps the regents' composition aligned with the governor's appointment choices.
For Texas residents, the appointment shapes who oversees a state university focused on women's education. Students and families may see the board's decisions over the coming years as Radler serves through February 2029.
The takeaway
Gubernatorial appointments to public university boards bring outside expertise into institutional governance. Readers tracking higher education in Texas can watch how new regents shape decisions after they take their seats.
What happens next
Radler is expected to join the Texas Woman's University Board of Regents at the February 2027 meeting.
Further reading
For related coverage of leadership appointments, see People in our business section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Star Local.
Live Poll
Do you trust governor-appointed university regents to put students' interests first?
