Executive Director

Shannon began professionally working with and advocating alongside survivors of violence and trauma in 2005.  Her early career experiences as a direct service advocate, crisis program coordinator, and shelter manager cemented an understanding that we cannot prevent violence and abuse, or create systems that provide healing and justice, without survivor voices and expertise at the center of our work. 

With that knowledge, Shannon shifted to focus her efforts to build cross-systems collaborations and positive institutional change within local and state government agencies.   During her time in the public sector, Shannon built bridges across service systems by developing programs and partnerships at the intersections of domestic and sexual violence with disability, aging, veterans’ needs, substance use treatment centers, immigrant and refugee supports, and others. 

Shannon is particularly passionate about improving access and removing barriers for all community members to be able to engage in the full spectrum of anti-violence services, from primary prevention to crisis response to longer term supports that sustain safer, more equitable, and more joyous communities.  Shannon has worked to create better understanding and inclusion of primary prevention efforts within state government, with a belief that meaningful investments in prevention are a necessary next step to significantly reduce, and eventually eliminate, sexual violence and trauma.

Shannon holds degrees in Human Communication and Human Services/Counseling Studies, and has advanced education in Trauma-Informed Services, Project Management, and Addictions Counseling but considers herself a curious and eager lifelong learner. 

Outside of work, Shannon lives in SE Portland where she loves to cook and binge watch television with her partner, as well as play fetch with her two cats, Percy and Agatha.  She will happily accept your book recommendations for her reading list.

Pronouns: she/her

Specialty Areas: Coming soon!

Staff liaison to: Board of Directors, Legislative and Public Policy Committee, Oregon Alliance to End Violence Against Women