Chris Shannon

Senior Policy Associate @Corporation For A Skilled Workforce Csw

Ann Arbor, MI, US

At CSW, I engage in the following activities to transform workforce systems, policy, and practice to increase economic mobility for low-wage workers and address racial disparities:• Sector Expertise: Monitor workforce development trends, policies, and innovations, focusing on service provider strategies that drive equitable outcomes.• Facilitation and Engagement: Design and deliver engaging training sessions, workshops, and facilitated discussions—virtual and in-person—for diverse system actors.• Consulting Services: Provide boutique consulting solutions to funders, workforce associations, and sector organizations to accelerate worker equity and advancement. Clients include Greater Twin Cities United Way, Autism Alliance of Michigan, Pew Charitable Trusts, and Philadelphia’s Department of Commerce.• Capacity Building: Use peer cohort models like the Workforce Benchmarking Network (WBN) to strengthen data capacity and constituent engagement to improve service delivery and equitable outcomes.• Data-Driven Benchmarking: Expand WBN National Survey user base to benchmark performance and drive organization strategy.• Centering Practitioner and Participant Voices: Elevate the perspectives of workers, learners, and practitioners to reshape program design, evaluation, and success metrics.• Leadership Development: Support the growth of nonwhite workforce leaders through fellowship programs or peer learning communities.• Innovative Solutions: Co-develop cutting-edge strategies, resources, and initiatives focusing on achieving equitable results for workers and improved training and support for practitioners.• Knowledge Sharing: Contribute thought leadership to the field by sharing research insights and project learnings through articles, reports, and presentations.• Project Development: Identify emerging sector needs and develop concepts and initiatives, and funders willing to support them, to deploy at the local, state, and national levels.

Google Career

Data Analytics

Virginia Commonwealth University

MFA, Directing, Educational Theatre, Theatre History

UMass Boston

Fellow, Emerging Leaders Program, Center for Collaborative Leadership, Organizational Leadership

University of Delaware

Bachelor of Arts, Secondary Ed: English, Theatre

Google Career

Certificate, Project Management