Shannon is Chief of Staff at Colorado Succeeds where she works closely with the President and the Board of Directors on leading the strategic priorities of the organization. In her role, she oversees the communications, advocacy, and program implementation teams. She considers herself lucky to be air traffic controller, cheerleader, and trail guide for Colorado Succeeds. Most days, she just gets to work with really smart people. Shannon is passionate about educational equity and advancing opportunities for all young people in Colorado to experience an education that helps them unlock and live out their potential.
Prior to Colorado Succeeds, Shannon worked at the US Department of Education on federal policy and program implementation. She’s worked in the private sector in public affairs and public relations in Los Angeles and Washington, DC. She began her career as a Teach For America corps member teaching high school in Las Vegas.
Shannon has a master’s degree in Secondary Education from the University of Nevada, Las Vegas, a master’s degree in Strategic Communication from the University of Southern California, and a bachelor’s degree from the University of California, Davis.
Community Involvement
Shannon has spent 20 years supporting education and workforce initiatives in her personal and professional life. As a former high school teacher, she finds ways to volunteer regularly with local high school students for career-connected learning and mentorship opportunities. She is a member of the 2023 Leadership Denver class through the Denver Metro Chamber of Commerce and is active in the Policy Innovators in Education (PIE) Network.
Why Shannon Loves Colorado
While she sometimes finds herself missing a coastal body of water, Shannon can’t imagine raising her boys, Harry and Max, in a better place than Colorado. Shannon has had the opportunity to travel the state through partnership and community-led collaborations and continues to enjoy finding new places and spaces to visit again. When she’s at her home in Denver, she enjoys reading a good book, playing soccer in the backyard with her boys, debating education policy with her husband, Jamie, a 20-year educator, and weekend catchups with lifelong friends.
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