Frances P. Mainella (born 1947) was the 16th Director of the National Park Service of the United States and first woman to hold that position.

In 2007, Mainella was presented the Pugsley Medal a second time for outstanding national leadership, the highest award given by the American Academy for Park and Recreation Administration.

In 2011, Mainella received the outstanding alumni of the year award from the University of Connecticut Neag School of Education.

A January 19, 2006, report from the U.S. Department of the Interior's Office of Inspector General entitled "Report of Investigation - Allegations that the National Park Service Improperly Allowed Daniel Snyder to Cut trees on Government Land" reported that Daniel P. Smith, Mainella's Special Assistant at the National Park Service, stated Mainella attended a Washington Redskins vs. New York Giants football game, whereupon she was asked by one of Washington Redskins owner Daniel Snyder's associates to provide assistance with cutting down trees on the Chesapeake & Ohio Canal, which is managed by the National Park Service.

According to the investigation, Snyder had wanted the trees removed for years because they blocked the view from his multimillion-dollar mansion, but had been unsuccessful previously in persuading NPS to allow him to clear cut them.

Smith then worked through the National Capital Regional Office of the NPS and the park's Acting Superintendent, Kevin Brandt, to pressure and push for the project's completion.

Mainella's Special Assistant, Smith, later said in an interview that he had received a letter of reprimand in April 2006 for "overstepping his discretion" but defended his actions, claiming he did "nothing tawdry."