Shannon Griswold

About Shannon Griswold

I\'m a Strategy and Operations Leader who excels at both crafting compelling visions through collaboration AND implementing them effectively. I bridge the gap where organizations struggle – connecting big-picture strategy to tactical execution. I\'m who people turn to when they think:\"This problem is complex.how do we prioritize actions without losing the big picture?\"I lead collaborative processes that integrate ideas from those who know problems best, generating cross-organizational buy-in that lasts. I bring curiosity, solutions-orientation, and willingness to work alongside you to design, implement, and adapt strategies addressing challenges of any scale.My superpower is seamlessly moving between vision and implementation, bringing together:🧭 Strategic Vision + Operational Excellence - I led development of USAID\'s first community-centered equity assessment tool, designing the framework, implementing it to win an agency-wide award, and designing and delivering the training for new facilitators of the tool, to quadruple organizational capacity for racial and ethnic equity integration. Systems Thinking + Process Improvement - In Ethiopia, I mapped complex emergency response systems, then designed streamlined end-to-end protocols that were institutionalized for managing multiple concurrent crises from locust infestations to civil conflict. Stakeholder Alignment + Implementation - I designed and executed USAID\'s first Agency-wide Virtual Learning Week, creating the framework and logistics to engage 550+ participants from nearly 60 Missions with minimal resources. Policy Development + Program Execution - At the community level, I expanded a farmers\' market benefits program by 500%, developing the funding approach and implementing tracking systems to support food-insecure residents. Strategic Facilitation + Tactical Follow-Through - I led participatory policy development for USAID\'s first-ever People’s Republic of China Policy, facilitating strategic development and ensuring implementation across diverse objectives from multiple bureaus.I excel in organizations where \"strategy-execution gaps\" need bridging – whether designing triple-bottom-line strategies or implementing frameworks that connect vision to measurable impact. I thrive in a mission-driven, people-first environment where I can harness a collaborative culture to drive results.Let\'s connect if you need a leader who not only knows where the organization should go but can build the roadmap and drive the journey to get there! shannonlgriswold at gmail. com

Experience

1. Senior Strategy and Learning Lead

   USAID

   Oct 2018 — Present · Washington, DC, US

   Provided strategic leadership for learning, adaptation, and equity integration across person organization, including facilitation of critical strategic processes.• Strategic Resource Management: Oversaw $3M annual Office budget and $50M program (5 contracts, 18 partners) to catalyze innovation in monitoring, evaluation, research, and learning.• Systemic Equity Integration: Developed participatory equity assessment tool and trained a cohort of facilitators to deploy it, quadrupling Agency capacity to integrate equity into programming across 100+ countries.• Strategic Policy Development: Led participatory process to create an actionable Theory of Change for USAID\'s Peoples’ Republic of China Strategy.• Human-Centered Facilitation: Designed and delivered six 150+ person strategy reflection workshops across 5 countries enabling evidence-based adaptation of 5-year country strategies for increased efficiency, effectiveness, and alignment with emerging priorities.• Change Management: Led eight-person team through transitions, increasing staffing pattern from 50% to 85% with 0% attrition.

Education

• Baylor College of Medicine

  PhD, Biomedical Research

  2004 — 2010

• Pepperdine University

  Bachelor of Science (BS), Biology

  1999 — 2004

• Pepperdine University

  Bachelor of Arts (BA), Philosophy

  1999 — 2004

Skills

• Scaling Up
• Data Analysis
• Portfolio Analysis
• Project Management
• Engineering
• Genetics
• Science Policy
• Systems Analysis
• Science and Technology Policy
• International Development
• Developmental Biology
• Molecular Biology
• Program Evaluation
• Bioethics
• Program Evaluation and Assessment
• Science
• Data Science
• Research