Shantelle Fuller

I attribute my success to the values my parents instilled in me—especially the importance of rising above circumstances and seeing beyond what’s in front of you. That lesson guides me every day. I currently serve as a Revenue Specialist with the Comptroller of Maryland, where I was recently promoted to Business Adjuster in March. Before transitioning into public service, I spent many years in education. I hold a Master of Education with a specialization in Trauma-Informed Educational Practices, a field that has profoundly influenced how I support students and communities affected by trauma. Returning to graduate school sparked my passion for developing programs that merge mindfulness with creative expression. During the 2022–23 school year, I piloted a mindfulness and studio arts program for special needs students at Leaf Walk School in Baltimore City. The students engaged in activities like visual arts, journaling, and even curated an art exhibit—an inspiring experience that showcased how creativity can foster emotional healing. Despite challenges with funding, my team and I secured a grant from Kennedy Krieger in 2024, enabling us to train local artists in trauma-informed care. I’ve also seen how financial literacy and trauma-informed care intersect in meaningful ways. In my work, I train residents to run nonprofit programs while managing their personal finances—many of whom are coping with the effects of trauma. As a parent of two children preparing for college, I understand these financial pressures on a personal level. My goal moving forward is to secure additional funding so that resident artists can take on leadership roles in these community programs, allowing me to continue balancing my professional, creative, and personal commitments.

My advice to young women entering this field is to remember that while trauma may shape your path, it doesn’t have to define you. Resilience, patience, and perseverance are essential—not just for survival, but for creating the habits that lead to real growth. In this work, personal healing and professional development often go hand in hand. Allow yourself to evolve, and don’t compare your journey to anyone else’s; everyone’s path unfolds in its own time and way. My own journey has transformed from simply coping to truly thriving—and helping others do the same. Through my experiences, I’ve learned the importance of integrating mindfulness, emotional healing, and financial wellness into everyday life. These lessons inspired me to create Pathways to Peace, a 30-day devotional centered on mindfulness and emotional restoration. I’ve also written Healing Through Art, which explores trauma-informed creative practices, and Financial Freedom for Every Day, a guide to managing money with strength and resilience. Ultimately, my advice is to stay grounded in purpose, trust the process, and know that your experiences—both the struggles and the triumphs—can become powerful tools for helping others heal and grow.

One of the biggest challenges in my field right now is balancing multiple roles while maintaining impact and sustainability. Working full-time at the Comptroller’s Office while developing and managing community-based programs requires intentional time management and unwavering focus. Funding continues to be another significant hurdle, particularly for trauma-informed arts initiatives, which often operate with limited financial support despite their transformative impact. On a personal level, balancing professional responsibilities with family financial needs—especially with two children preparing for college—adds another layer of complexity. However, I view these challenges as opportunities for growth and innovation. They’ve pushed me to explore creative partnerships, secure grants, and design sustainable models that allow trauma-informed care and financial literacy programs to thrive. Ultimately, these experiences reinforce my belief that meaningful change happens when we combine compassion with strategy. By continuing to bridge public service, education, and community development, I hope to create spaces where both healing and financial empowerment can take root and grow.

The values that guide both my work and personal life are resilience, empathy, patience, and equity. Resilience, for me, means more than simply overcoming challenges—it’s about transforming adversity into strength and purpose. Empathy and patience are equally essential, as I believe healing is deeply personal and unfolds at its own pace. I also hold equity as a core value; every community deserves fair access to education, the arts, and financial empowerment. My goal is always to create safe, supportive spaces where people feel seen, valued, and equipped to grow. Each chapter of my career—whether in education, government, or community programming—has deepened my understanding of how these values work in practice. My graduate research at National University examined the impact of trauma on African American communities, exploring systemic barriers like redlining, healthcare disparities, and under-resourced schools. That research continues to inform my approach to community development and program design. At Arts Every Day Baltimore, I advocated for arts funding and helped develop school art budgets, experiences that taught me the power of collaboration and creative advocacy. This blend of cross-sector experience enables me to connect patterns others might overlook and to design programs that address the whole person—educationally, emotionally, and economically.