With over 30 years of development experience in Chicago, Shannon Alexander launched the fundraising consulting firm the Alexander Ross Group (ARG) in 2011. The firm guides nonprofit organizations to fulfill their missions by increasing their capacity to attract philanthropic dollars. She counsels nonprofits, focusing on major growth and scaling for increased impact. She currently serves as an Advisor to the Graham School’s Leadership and Society Initiative Social Impact Incubator focused on fundraising for startup nonprofits at the University of Chicago. Shannon co-designed and led the Fundraising for Good Cohorts at the Baumhart Center at Loyola University from supporting senior level development professionals.  

Shannon served as Vice President, External Affairs for the Griffin Museum of Science and Industry. Under her leadership, Griffin MSI completed its Science Rediscovered capital campaign, surpassing its $205 million goal by $3.8 million. The campaign, which was conducted during the worst economic decline in decades, attracted 5,000 donors, more than 55 of whom contributed at least $1 million. Shannon was active as a member of the Executive Staff and managed Board of Trustees relations, auxiliary groups, donor communications, membership, and strategic planning, in addition to all aspects of fundraising. She led a team of 40 staff members, including seven department heads. Shannon was responsible for creating the task forces that engaged civic leaders, educators, and scientists in Griffin MSI’s plan that encouraged them to dream big, while building ownership among enough major gift prospects to fund MSI’s bold vision and bolster its endowment. She had broad and deep experience working with Chicago area cultural institutions including the Field Museum, Hyde Park Art Center, Museum of Contemporary Art, and Adler Planetarium.  

Before MSI, Shannon was a consultant with a national resource development firm where she worked with a variety of non-profit organizations. She worked on projects ranging from development assessments, feasibility studies, capital campaign implementation, donor communications, and executive searches.  

Shannon serves on the Board of Evanston Township High School Foundation. Her past civic involvements include serving on the Board of Directors of Foundation 65, the Chicago Chapter of the Association of Fundraising Professionals (AFP), and as co-chair for the Chicago Community Trust’s Young Leaders’ Fund (YLF) endowment campaign for YLF alumni. Her dedication to working with young people inspired her to spend eight years mentoring Chicago Public School students through Chicago Lights Tutoring Program through Fourth Presbyterian Church in Chicago.  

As an instructor for Northwestern University Continuing Studies Program, Shannon taught courses in major gifts and capital campaigns. She served as a guest lecturer at Kellogg’s Center for Nonprofit Management regarding effectively engaging Boards in fundraising. She was proud to be a featured speaker for AFP Chapter programs in Chicago, Indianapolis, and Northwest Indiana, as well as the YWCA and the American Association of Museums and Association of Science and Technology Centers conferences. A graduate of Butler University, Shannon received the Alumni Service Award for her volunteer efforts including serving on the Alumni Board of Directors.