Shawna Brinson is an advancement professional who brings a unique academic background and analytic perspective to CRE². She has a B.A. and M.A. from the University of Kansas, where she focused on cultural geography and spent three years working for the KU Center for East Asian Studies. Her nonprofit career has included development roles with the International Institute of St. Louis, Microfinancing Partners in Africa, Boys Hope Girls Hope, Trailnet, and the Gateway Region YMCA. She has also provided grant writing and communication services for grassroots organizations and mission-based businesses as an independent contractor. Just prior to CRE², Shawna oversaw funder research, benchmarking, and database management for WashU Advancement’s Foundation Relations team. In her free time, Shawna volunteers for civic engagement activities, attends community fundraising events, and enjoys traveling the world.