SHANNON M. MORA
A native of Spokane, WA, Shannon attended the University of Washington in Seattle and received her Bachelor of Arts degree in Business Administration, double concentrating in Finance and Marketing. Always present was her exposure to Special Olympics as she cheered her sister, Whittney, and her teammates on at local, regional and state games.
Throughout college, she worked for the specialty retailer Nordstrom and continued with the company after graduation. She relocated to San Diego and was promoted to Assistant Manager, Manager, Buyer, and then Lead Buyer for the San Diego region. With Nordstrom's philosophy of decentralization, the experience of managing and buying for her own department was invaluable.
Upon marrying her college sweetheart, Jim, she made the move to New Orleans and became very involved with Special Olympics, CASA, Leukemia Society, the New Orleans Saints Women's Association and various shelters throughout the greater New Orleans area. She focused on volunteering her time and effort and fundraising for these organizations. She served on the CASA Board of Directors for two years, and was president of the New Orleans Women's Association, a nonprofit organization, and chaired the Special Olympics Award Banquet for several years, turning it into one of their strongest fundraisers. From New Orleans, the Moras moved to Los Gatos, California, with their four children.
In Atlanta, Shannon immersed herself in the city's philanthropic community---- serving as the Co-Grand Marshall for the 2004 and 2006 Special Olympics Summer Games, on the planning committee for the Atlanta Falcons Women's Association which focuses on giving back in the Atlanta community through a variety of ways---Can Drives, Toy Drives, special events and fundraisers, and working with the primary beneficiaries of the organization, the Children's Healthcare of Atlanta Children's Hospital system and local breast cancer awareness organizations. Shannon served on the Special Olympics of Georgia Board of Directors and the Eagle Ranch Board of Advisors.
Returning to the Pacific Northwest, Shannon continued her philanthropic work with the Boys & Girls Clubs of Bellevue and Special Olympics Washington. She and Jim served as the Co-Grand Marshall for the 2009 Special Olympics Washington Summer Games. She also served as President of the Seattle Seahawks Women’s Association and helped guide the organization’s community outreaches, including Toys for Tots program, the Holiday Toy Drive , the annual Food Drive and Football 101, an event that gave women instruction on the game of football while raising funds for breast cancer research and support. Shannon currently serves on the Special Olympics Washington Board of Directors. With four active children, she volunteers her time for many school projects, fundraisers and events. As Vice President of the Count on Me Family Foundation, she oversees the Foundation’s activities and orchestrates the Foundation’s annual fundraisers.