40 Under 40

• At Texas Health Resources Foundation Shannon served as Sr. Director, Foundation Relations and Community Impact where shhe raised $9.5MM in grant/contract funding over the last four years, while simultaneously leading the teams through program planning and design, budgeting, grant management, fundraising strategy, evaluation, and partnership development. 
• Shannon spearheaded Texas Health Resources Foundation's strategic initiative into Community Impact, leading a team of four major gift officers responsible for standing up the development and operations of five volunteer led Community Impact Leadership Councils, consisting of 15–20 volunteer leaders each.
• Most recently, she spearheaded the creation of Texas Health's COVID-19 response fund, set-up a new public facing website and landing page, deployed social media and marketing campaigns that resulted in over 6M impressions, and e-mail and phone appeals resulting in nearly $2M in cash and in-kinds gifts to support our frontline teams.

1. How did you get into healthcare philanthropy?

As a child I always wanted to be a dentist. I was obsessed with pulling teeth and performed this volunteer service on myself, my siblings, and friends. But it was my mother and grandmother’s careers in nursing that ultimately drew me into health care. My mother, a nurse, dragged us along to every charity event in which the hospital participated. My early exposure to these events helped lead me down a path into healthcare fundraising.

2. Why did you choose to make healthcare philanthropy your career?

It was the perfect combination for my love of community and passion for healthcare. Every day we have the privilege to share with others the joys of giving.

3. Tell us about a pivot point or crucial step in your career journey.

The transition from annual fund to major gifts was a crucial step in my career. Moving from project based execution strategies into relationship management only reaffirmed for me this was the right career path. I thrived building relationships with individuals and connecting them with a cause that I deeply believe in.

4. What was your first job, and what is something it taught you?

While pursuing my master’s degree in health care administration, I worked as a patient care technician at our local hospital. This job taught me that all members of the healthcare team play a vital role in a patient's journey and more importantly about selfless service to others and the pure joy it can bring.

5. What are your future aspirations?

I look forward to continuing to grow and learn in a rapidly changing field.

Find Shannon on LinkedIn.