Shannon is a Bay Area native and proud member of an O’Dowd legacy family. With parents, aunts, and uncles who also attended the school, O’Dowd has long been an important part of her family’s story.
She earned her BA in Psychology from the University of California, Riverside and has always felt drawn to working with young people. Mentored by O'Dowd's longtime Dean of Students Gary Mason, she learned the importance of balancing accountability with genuine care for students. That approach—holding students to high standards while showing them they are supported—continues to guide her work each day. Shannon believes O’Dowd is a special community that encourages everyone to be their best while embracing the diversity that makes each person unique. In her free time, she enjoys playing golf and going for walks.