Shannon is a communication nerd, TEDx speaker, international author and entrepreneur who views obstacles as opportunities and believes anything is possible with the right combination of creativity, hard work and perseverance. Applying this mindset has enabled Shannon to develop innovative solutions and stand out as a leader. In 2018, she drew upon her communication expertise to found encaptiv, an award-winning audience engagement and conversion platform for virtual, hybrid and in-person presentations and events. Shannon holds a master’s in interpersonal communication from the University of Central Florida, has served on the faculty at Columbia University and Iona College, and has been coaching executives, professionals, entrepreneurs and students on effective communication and public speaking skills for a decade. Among her many accomplishments, Shannon has helped clients land, develop and deliver TEDx talks - including one that became a viral phenomenon that turned into a book deal; successfully navigate Shark Tank auditions to get to filming; transform authors' words into impactful keynotes that launched their books...and more! Shannon is the Co-Founder of SOW Victory Fest, a global event that celebrates, elevates and empowers women; and Co-Founder of Stamford Innovation Week, a week-long festival and conference celebrating innovation, entrepreneurship and technology. Her book, Water Yourself, has been read in 10 countries and the second edition was released in April 2023.