With over 25 years of professional fundraising 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. ARG offers sage strategic counsel in resource development and nonprofit management including annual and major giving, development assessments, feasibility studies, philanthropic market assessments, campaign counsel, board development and training and strategic planning. Shannon co-designed and led Fundraising for Good at the Baumhart Center at Loyola University to support mid- and senior level development professionals. 

Shannon served as Vice President, External Affairs for the Museum of Science and Industry (MSI). Under her leadership, MSI completed its Science Rediscovered capital campaign in February 2011, 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 pre-campaign task forces that engaged civic leaders, educators, and scientists in MSI’s plan that encouraged MSI to dream big, while building ownership among enough major gift prospects to fund MSI’s bold vision and bolster its endowment. 

Before MSI, Shannon was a consultant with a national resource development firm where she worked with many nonprofit organizations including hospitals, educational institutions, museums, and social service agencies. 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 endowment campaign. 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. 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 conferences. A graduate of Butler University, Shannon received the Joseph Irwin Sweeney Alumni Service Award for her volunteer efforts which included serving on Butler’s Alumni Board of Directors.