Her Story
About Shannan
I am a business leader, lifelong learner, wife of 17 years, and proud mom to an incredible 9-year-old daughter who inspires me daily to become better than I was yesterday.
My career path wasn’t linear and I wouldn’t change it for anything. I began in nursing school with a deep desire to help people. That passion led me to shift into public health, where I discovered my niche: the intersection of health, operations, and business leadership. Today, I hold an MBA and continue to grow in executive leadership, combining data-driven strategy with heart-centered management.
I believe business can be both disciplined and human. My background in public health shaped how I lead with structure, accountability, and a strong commitment to doing things the right way. I am currently (slowly but steadily) working toward my Doctorate in Business because growth, for me, is a lifelong commitment.
Outside of work, my greatest role is being a mom. Everything I pursue, every challenge, is ultimately about showing my daughter what resilience, courage, and consistency look like. I simply want to make her proud. When I’m not working, you’ll find me hiking to waterfalls, traveling to new places, studying Spanish, or exploring the world with my little family. Home is busy and joyful. We share it with a loyal German Shepherd and three cats.
I believe in building businesses that matter, leading with integrity, and creating a life that blends ambition with adventure.
Her Interview
Ten minutes with Shannan
01What do you attribute your success to?
I attribute my success to resilience, curiosity, and a deep sense of responsibility.
My path hasn’t been perfectly linear. I started in nursing school, transitioned into public health, earned my MBA, and built my career through hands-on operational leadership. Each pivot taught me adaptability and humility. I’ve never been afraid to start over, learn something new, or step into roles that stretched me beyond what felt comfortable.
I’m naturally data-driven and disciplined, but what truly fuels me is purpose. I work hard because I want my daughter to see what commitment looks like. I want her to understand that growth doesn’t happen overnight! It happens through consistency, grit, and showing up even when it’s hard.
I also attribute my success to surrounding myself with strong people, staying teachable, and continuously investing in myself. Whether that’s studying Spanish in my spare time or slowly working toward my doctorate in business.
At the core, my success is built on resilience, work ethic, and the belief that you can evolve at any stage of life.
02What’s the best career advice you’ve ever received?
The best career advice I’ve ever received was simple: Take the risk.
Early on, I was reminded that growth rarely happens inside your comfort zone. Whether it was leaving nursing school to pivot into public health, stepping into operational leadership roles I wasn’t sure I was “ready” for, or pursuing my MBA while balancing motherhood...every major leap in my life came from choosing courage over comfort.
I’ve learned that you don’t have to feel 100% prepared to move forward. You just have to be willing to learn fast, work hard, and adapt.
Taking calculated risks has allowed me to build resilience, and evolve as a leader. If I waited until I felt completely ready, I would have missed some of the most defining opportunities of my career.
The biggest growth often lives on the other side of discomfort.
03What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
Speak up early, take the risk, and don’t wait until you feel 100% ready. Competence builds confidence, not the other way around.
04What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?
One of the biggest challenges in my field right now is navigating rapid operational demands while maintaining strong culture, compliance, and financial discipline. The pace is fast, margins are tight, and leaders are expected to be both strategic and hands-on.
As a woman in business, there’s also the added layer of overcoming assumptions and proving capability in rooms that haven’t always been evenly represented. That can be challenging.
But it’s also an incredible opportunity.
05What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
Integrity, resilience, and accountability. I believe in doing the right thing, even when it’s hard, showing up consistently, and taking ownership of outcomes. Above all, I value growth and leading in a way that makes my family proud.
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