Shannon Darby joined LEEF this summer and serves as the new Director of Development and Operations. Shannon helps LEEF to deepen the organization’s relationship with our business partners and community by creating awareness and collaborative opportunities to fund programs in need. Since 2016, she has served as a member of the LEEF executive board. Before joining LEEF, she worked in the front office of one of Leander ISD’s elementary schools, for six years.
Shannon has been an active volunteer and education advocate in LISD, and Magnolia ISD before moving to the Austin area. She completed the Leadership Leander ISD and Leadership Magnolia ISD programs and served as president of the CC Mason Elementary PTO and on the Principal’s Advisory Committee for several years.
Earlier in her career, Shannon served as the Director of Development for the Make-A-Wish of the Texas Gulf Coast and Louisiana, where she stewarded cause-corporate fundraising programs bringing in more than $1 million per year and managed hundreds of volunteers. She also was co-owner of a professional photography business in The Woodlands that handled photography for corporate, magazine, and family interests.
Shannon and her husband Petri have two sons in LISD — one an 8th grader and one a senior in high school. She has an education degree from Sam Houston State University and started her career as a preschool teacher.
“The LEEF board is thrilled to welcome Shannon Darby to the LEEF Team! Her experience with nonprofits combined with her long history of service as a board member and experience working with the District will add true value to the team. Shannon’s expertise and dynamic personality will lead to many great new partnerships and opportunities to grow LEEF and increase our impact across Leander ISD.” – Crystal Smith, LEEF Board Member