I stopped over-adjusting and began showing up fully as myself. Recognizing that my perspective strengthened the work (not detracted from it) shifted everything in my leadership journey.
Shan Haugabrook, ACNP · In Her Own Words
Her Story
About Shan
Shan has dedicated over a decade of leadership to the nonprofit sector and association management, guided by a passion for service that began early through community involvement. Unlike many who enter the field by chance, she intentionally pursued this path after recognizing the opportunity to build a meaningful career centered on community impact, servant leadership, and service to others.
In her leadership, Shan focuses on creating environments where members, volunteers, stakeholders, and teams feel supported, heard, and empowered. She is committed to advancing meaningful conversations and cultivating spaces that prioritize both performance and overall well-being, grounded in the belief that people must have the resources, clarity, and support needed to lead and serve effectively.
One of her notable accomplishments includes leading and mobilizing over 200 volunteers for the Atlanta Apartment Association (AAA) Membership Campaign, supporting membership retention and recruitment efforts. By equipping volunteers with the tools, structure, and support needed to succeed, she demonstrated her ability to translate vision into execution while strengthening engagement and organizational impact.
Shan is especially passionate about the people within the industry and the opportunity to support their success. She is committed to creating pathways for professionals to access the tools, resources, and connections they need to thrive in their day-to-day work. She leads with transparency, integrity, and a commitment to inclusive leadership - meeting people where they are and ensuring diverse perspectives are valued and reflected in the work.
Through her servant leadership approach, Shan continues to foster environments where individuals and organizations can grow, contribute, and succeed together.
Her Interview
Ten minutes with Shan
01What do you attribute your success to?
I attribute my success to my ability to work with people and meet them where they are, creating space for every voice and perspective to be heard. Rather than approaching situations with a rigid mindset of “this is what I know,” I focus on building inclusive environments where individuals feel comfortable sharing their input and experiences.
What sets my approach apart is not only listening, but intentionally incorporating that feedback into the work we do together. I believe collaboration is most effective when people see that their perspectives are reflected in outcomes and decisions.
This commitment to inclusive leadership and shared ownership has been central to my success. It allows me to serve effectively, strengthen trust within teams, and achieve results that reflect collective insight and engagement.
02What’s the best career advice you’ve ever received?
The best career advice I’ve received is to show up as my authentic self, stay grounded in my values and morals, and lead from that foundation - trusting that everything else will fall into place.
I’ve found this to be true throughout my career. When you are clear about who you are and connected to your “why” and purpose, it naturally shows in how you lead, serve others, and make decisions. That sense of purpose becomes what carries you through the more challenging moments and demanding seasons of leadership.
An important part of that advice, however, is the practice of setting boundaries. Authentic leadership requires clarity around what you can carry and what allows you to remain effective and sustainable in your work.
This perspective has given me both grounding and momentum - allowing me not only to find fulfillment in the work I do, but to consistently show up with intention and presence for those I serve.
03What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
Show up as yourself. Commit to doing the work, and never stop learning. Growth in the nonprofit sector and association management requires openness to different perspectives, even those you may not have considered or initially agree with. True success is strengthened through inclusivity, where diverse voices and ideas are invited to the table and valued in shaping outcomes.
As you grow, make it a priority to pay it forward. Every role and position you step into represents a first for someone, and your experience can become a bridge for others who are just beginning their journey. Mentorship and encouragement matter - use what you’ve learned to help others move forward and reach even further than you have.
You do not have to follow a single prescribed path. Instead, find the path that aligns with your purpose, strengths, and journey, and excel within it. Celebrate your progress along the way - both the small wins and the significant milestones - because each step matters.
Continue showing up with consistency and intention, knowing that if you keep moving forward, one step at a time, you will reach your goals and your vision for your future.
04What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?
The opportunities and challenges in the nonprofit sector and association management is centered around innovation and the willingness to move beyond traditional approaches. This includes introducing new ideas, bringing people along through change, and thoughtfully evaluating outcomes to ensure they align with strategic priorities and long-term goals.
Another ongoing challenge and opportunity is navigating unfamiliar or evolving circumstances. In this industry, encountering something new does not lessen the responsibility to lead effectively. Instead, it creates an opportunity to learn, adapt, and grow in ways that strengthen both the organization and the communities being served.
I view this as an opportunity to continuously expand my knowledge and capacity - not only to move my organization forward, but also to better support and advance the members, stakeholders, and communities we serve.
05What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
My most important values are transparency and ethics. I believe in being open and clear in communication about day-to-day work, whether it involves projects I’m leading, decisions being made, or conversations happening across teams and stakeholders.
Ethics, for me, is rooted in integrity - being true to your word, maintaining strong moral principles, and not cutting corners in the process. These values are essential because trust is the foundation of effective leadership. People need to know they can rely on you, that your word aligns with your actions, and that there are no hidden agendas.
When transparency and ethics are consistently present, they remove barriers that can otherwise hinder collaboration and trust. This not only strengthens outcomes in the work itself, but also deepens the quality of relationships and the overall culture within an organization.
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