T Shannon Mckenrick-Okou (CFRE) is a proud Okie-transplant from the Dallas area who currently serves as the Executive Director of Harding Fine Arts Academy Foundation where she also served as Director of Development for two years. During her time as Director of Development she grew fundraising capacity by nearly 600%, created an Alumni Association, and bolstered stewardship efforts.

She attended Oklahoma City University where she attained her BS in Entertainment Business and MA in Nonprofit Administration with a focus in arts administration. Shannon began her career in fundraising at the young age of 18 when she took a random job as a data entry clerk in the University’s Advancement Offices.

In 2020, Shannon became a Certified Fund Raising Executive. In 2020 and 2022 she was named Oklahoma City’s NextGen Under 30. Active in her community, Shannon enjoys volunteering her time with several nonprofit organizations including serving on the Associate Board for Oklahoma City Ballet, volunteering for Lyric Theatre, Phi Mu Fraternity as ritual advisor, Bridgeway Church and Daughters of the American Revolution, where she is a member of the veterans affairs committee.

She is a member of the Association of Fundraising Professionals (where she serves on the National Philanthropy Day committee), National Association of Charitable Gift Planners, Oklahoma Center for Nonprofits, Leaders Impacting the Nonprofit Community of Oklahoma City (formerly Young Nonprofit Professionals Network of OKC), and Oklahoma City Young Professionals.

Shannon considers herself a true renaissance woman – often taking online courses and learning new skills outside of her field such as programming, website design and graphic design. In her free time, Shannon enjoys reading, cooking, quilting, and attending the Cleveland Browns’ games with her family and husband, William.