Her Story
About Shannon
For Shannon Berry, success has never been measured solely by titles or accomplishments—it's measured by the relationships she builds and the positive impact she leaves behind. Throughout her career, she has developed a reputation for connecting people, creating strategic partnerships, and helping businesses tell their stories in meaningful ways. After earning a bachelor's degree, Shannon began her career in Chicago's fashion industry before discovering her passion for advertising and client engagement. That passion ultimately led her to Advent Media Group, where she has spent more than a decade leading client engagement initiatives, managing national publishing programs, and collaborating with organizations across the country. Her work combines strategic planning, relationship management, and creative problem solving to help clients achieve their goals while building lasting partnerships. Equally important to Shannon is her commitment to serving others. For more than a decade, she has volunteered as a Hospital and Court Advocate with the Ion Center for Violence Prevention, providing trauma-informed support to survivors of domestic violence and sexual assault. She also serves on the organization's Development Committee, helping advance its mission through fundraising and community engagement. Her volunteer service has been recognized with the Kentucky Association of Sexual Assault Programs' "B.R.A.V.E. Award," the Ion Center's "Icon Award," and the Cincinnati Open and Fifth Third Bank's "Cincy Serves Award." A lifelong learner, Shannon is passionate about personal growth, leadership, and finding new ways to make a meaningful difference in both her profession and her community. She believes that empathy, integrity, and genuine human connection remain the foundation of lasting success.
Her Interview
Ten minutes with Shannon
01What do you attribute your success to?
I attribute my success to building genuine relationships and never losing sight of the people behind every opportunity. Whether I'm working with clients, colleagues, or survivors through my volunteer work, I've found that listening, earning trust, and following through consistently create stronger outcomes than any sales pitch or business strategy. I've also never stopped learning. Every new challenge has been an opportunity to grow, and I believe staying curious has been just as important to my career as experience itself.
02What’s the best career advice you’ve ever received?
The best career advice I’ve ever received is to intentionally surround myself with mentors, leaders, and colleagues who encourage, challenge, and inspire me to grow. There’s a saying, “Show me your friends, and I’ll show you your future,” and I believe the same principle applies in the workplace. Building relationships with like-minded professionals who are driven, collaborative, and committed to excellence creates an environment where you can continue learning, growing, and achieving your career goals. The people you choose to learn from and work alongside have a significant impact on your personal and professional success.
03What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
My advice to young women entering this industry is to pursue work that genuinely fulfills and inspires them. When you choose a career that aligns with your passions and values, it has a profound impact on both your professional success and your overall well-being. Pay attention to the opportunities and experiences that resonate deeply with you, as they are often guiding you toward the path where you can make the greatest impact.
04What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?
One of the biggest challenges in the marketing and media industry today is the rapid advancement of artificial intelligence, which is reshaping creative roles and raising concerns about the loss of authenticity in editorial content and advertising. At the same time, this shift presents an opportunity for organizations that continue to value human creativity, storytelling, and design. Content created by skilled professionals offers a more authentic, personal, and meaningful connection with audiences, helping brands build trust and differentiate themselves in an increasingly AI-driven landscape.
05What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
The values that guide me most are integrity, empathy, curiosity, and service. I've learned that success is built on trust, and trust is earned by listening, following through, and treating people with respect. I also believe we should never stop learning or looking for ways to grow. Those values have influenced every stage of my career and inspired my long-standing commitment to serving my community.
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