Director of Communications
Shawn supports strategic planning, management reporting, and website and social media content management. Previous to his position on the M+S team, he was head of communications at Search Inc. for 19 years. Shawn has been in the nonprofit field for more than 30 years, serving in a variety of roles including direct service, case management and administrative functions.
Q&A with Shawn (January 2024 and 2026)
In my 32 years of working in the nonprofit sector, it’s been the field’s commitment to mission and making a real, positive impact on people’s lives that continues to inspire me.
What I love about my work with The Alliance and Mission + Strategy is the opportunity to engage with various facets of the nonprofit sector and witness its many impacts. On any given day, I might be developing strategic planning presentations, crafting board reports, translating data into actionable insights, participating in strategy sessions with our M+S team, or refining mission statements for multiple organizations.
This role allows me to immerse myself in different projects and initiatives, aligning messaging and data to ensure clarity and cohesion among stakeholders. I get to listen to and share stories of impact, highlighting the efforts that lead to great outcomes.
One of the most rewarding aspects of my job is working with creative, passionate, and talented individuals, helping them achieve their goals. It's incredibly fulfilling to see how our collective efforts contribute to the success and growth of the organizations we support.
In my role, I help ensure that everyone is aligned and working towards the same goals. By asking questions, listening, and being a sounding board, I help clarify the vision for all stakeholders, ensuring their efforts are aligned. Sharing stories of success and impact not only highlights the benefits of working together but also inspires continued collaboration.
Watching an organization accomplish what it set out to do, knowing we've supported them along the way, is truly fulfilling.
My journey in the nonprofit sector began with direct service, where I supported people with disabilities to live full, connected lives in the community. Working closely with mission beneficiaries early in my career provided me with invaluable insights into the complexities and profound impact of mission-driven work. These experiences inspired me to pursue a career in communications – I wanted to share the powerful stories of our mission and its impact more broadly, both within the organization and with the wider community.
I have worked at Keystone since its launch in 2009. Prior to that I had worked at one of Keystone’s founding organizations, Search Inc., for 18 years.
I’m a Pug daddy. Milo is his name. He reminds me to take a break from working every once in a while and pay attention to what’s really important in life – HIM!
