Shawna brings 25 years of experience working with multiple generations of family in a complex business setting. Known for her curiosity, empathy, and growth mindset, Shawna specializes in coaching and mentoring leaders to create a legacy aligned with personal values. Shawna’s expertise in both family and business runs deep, allowing her to speak the language of business, while understanding dynamics that can naturally cause conflict. She provides skills and strategies to navigate challenges, allowing authentic leadership and untapped potential to emerge.

Shawna’s passion for family-held business is rooted in experience leading in-house legal, human resources and risk functions. She spent an appreciable amount of time building board and family governance systems, with an emphasis on next generation succession and development. She has served on both fiduciary and advisory Boards and is currently a Board member for PrimeCare Health and an Advisor to Lunum, Inc. Shawna has been a keynote and guest speaker for organizations such as Loyola University’s Women in Business Group, The Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM), and The North American Meat Institute where she spoke on succession planning and supporting family working together in business.

Today, Shawna works with enterprising families to coach leaders, develop governance that supports Board effectiveness, and create systems for business perpetuation. Shawna is an adjunct faculty member at Loyola University Chicago in support of their Family Business Center where she teaches board and family governance and coaches next generation leaders. She is the forthcoming author of the book, Leveraging Your Legacy, where she explores how operationalizing values can create loyalty and connection with top talent, customers, and generations to follow.

Education and Certifications

Shawna received a bachelor’s degree in Business Administration from Robert Morris University and a Master of Jurisprudence in Business Law from Loyola University Chicago, School of Law. She went on to receive certifications in Organizational Development from DePaul University, Emotional Intelligence Leadership from University of Illinois at Chicago’s Liautaud Graduate School of Business, and Kellogg’s Executive Development Program. She is a Life, Leadership and Health coach, accredited in the Hogan Assessment, Team Management Profile, Korn Ferry’s High Potential Assessment, and the Leadership Versatility Index.