Shannon Sohl

About Shannon Sohl

Nonprofit professional overseeing all aspects of Finance and IT with extensive experience in community & economic development, public finance as well as private sector financial management. Experience with retail systems, sales, operations, continuous improvement, accounting, financial reporting, auditing, controller activities, general ledger management, inventory control, field payroll, budgeting, expense control, performance measurement & benchmarking, client relations, contract negotiations, conducting large-scale multidisciplinary qualitative and quantitative research projects, new business development and collaborating with and presenting to senior leadership, elected officials, department heads, standard-setting bodies and stakeholders. I have conducted workshops for Civic Leadership Academy as well as co-host the Illinois Annual Financial Forecast Forum and the Municipal Finance Data Forum. Contributed to the XBRL US taxonomy for government and am currently leading the Center for Governmental Studies’ digital financial reporting (DFR) initiative. Recognized for innovation in financial reporting at NIU’s 2014 “Celebrating Innovation” event. Rely heavily on diversity, building trust mechanisms and working in innovative and collaborative ways to implement solutions that are people, policy, and pocketbook-friendly.

Experience

1. Chief Financial Officer

   Highland Community College

   Nov 2025 — Present · Freeport, IL, US

Education

• The Ohio State University

  Masters, Public Policy and Management

  2002 — 2005

• Northern Illinois University

  Doctor of Philosophy (PhD), Public Administration and Public Policy

  2008 — 2012