I’d like to tell you that I was born to do this work — that as a small child, I facilitated meetings for my dolls and coached the family dog. While I was a weird kid in other ways, my actual journey was much twistier than that, and included waiting tables, practicing law, writing, and raising children. As a result, I know what it’s like to be the only woman in the meeting, to balance work and family, and manage complicated teams. And with experience as a nonprofit C-level leader, board member, and volunteer, I understand the challenges of leading a mission-driven organization.
As a coach and a leader in San Francisco's nonprofit sector, I have had the privilege of working with diverse colleagues and clients representing a wide variety of perspectives, backgrounds, and passions. I believe that we reach our greatest leadership potential when we nurture that which is unique in and important to us — and that our organizations are better off for this diversity of cultures and perspectives. I approach every relationship from a position of empathy and cultural humility. Both inside and outside of the coaching room, I am continuously working to understand my own biases and regularly participate in workshops and trainings on allyship and anti-racism.
My most recent positions include: Chief Development Officer of Safe & Sound, Senior Director of Development at ScholarMatch and Director of Development at Jamestown Community Center. I am Board Chair of the Urban School of San Francisco and have chaired the Board of the San Francisco Friends School. I am Vice Chair of the Board of 18 Reasons, where I also chair the Development Committee and am on the Development Council of the Jamestown Community Center. If you would like to learn more, you can check out my CV here.
I live in San Francisco with my partner, two nearly launched daughters, and one not-very-coachable dog.
What People Are Saying
Shannon is a brilliant strategic thinker—bringing smarts, collaboration, compassion, humor, and out-of-the-box thinking to every problem that comes her way. She leads with equity and heart. She is a talented and quick writer, and thoughtful listener who values diversity, equity and inclusion in all her work. Shannon is an effective facilitator who can quickly see the essential elements of any issue and navigate a team towards consensus and shared solutions. I have been lucky to know Shannon for more than two decades and work with her for the majority of that time in all aspects of non-profit organizations: governance, strategic planning, leadership and professional development, fund development, property acquisition and development, human resources, and, policy and program design. On top of all this, Shannon cares deeply about improving the world for our children's future, from education to health care, child welfare to the environment. Indeed, this is what makes her so effective and amazing.
— Katie Albright, President & CEO, Safe & Sound
Shannon brings quiet competence, strategic thinking, a wealth of experience, and an incredible work ethic to see projects through. I appreciate her energy and wisdom -- both when things are going well and in the face of challenges. She is calm, steady, and clear-headed. Her presence encourages collaboration and guides decision-making so that teams can function at their highest level.
Shannon thinks comprehensively and is also decisive. She knows when to lead and when to support someone else taking the lead. She is flexible, comfortable wearing many hats, and naturally fills in gaps to ensure smooth execution. Shannon has a rare ability to hold the big picture in mind while also managing every last detail. She's a quick learner and a true team player.
Shannon understands how to create a fund development plan from the ground up, drive it to execution, make adjustments along the way, and employ a wide range of strategies to meet the goal.
Shannon is also skilled at organizing large projects and creating systems to improve efficiency and workflow. Shannon is also able to work with all kinds of people. She has a true openness about her that sets others at ease and empowers them to grow.
— Diana A., Nonprofit Leader
Shannon is one of the brightest strategic thinkers with whom I’ve ever had the pleasure of working. She can see and describe the big picture of important issues and quickly shift and dive into details of process and execution. She expertly and gently leads teams (committees, workgroups, entire boards) by her dedicated and skillful example. She is an incredibly hard worker, warm and gracious, and she lets nothing slip through the cracks. She’s a fantastic writer, persuasive, and always dedicated to mission. I would gladly jump aboard any project or endeavor Shannon were to invite me to.
— Seth Brenzel, former co-clerk of the Board of Trustees, San Francisco Friends School; Executive Director, The Walden School