Ebonee F. Shaw
Senior Director of Special Events
Saint Louis Crisis Nursery
Born: St. Louis, MO
High School:
Crossroads College Prep
College & Degree(s):
Xavier University of Louisiana, BS, Finance
University of New Orleans, MBA Marketing
Walden University, Doctorate of Business Administration, Social Impact Management. December 2016
RBC Young Professionals
Association of Black Foundation Executives
Board of Directors, St. Martin’s Child Care Center
Steering Committee, Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure
Civil Service Board, City of Berkeley
Young Nonprofit Professionals Network
Consortium of Leadership Development, Cohort #1
National Coalition of 100 Black Women
Iota Phi Lambda Sorority, Alpha Zeta Chapter
Diversity Awareness Partnership Connect
Out of all the special events you’ve directed throughout your career, which one are you most proud of, and why?
My favorite event of all time is the Crisis Nursery’s Celebrity Waiters Night. In the years I’ve been with the Nursery the event has doubled in size from attendance to the number of celebrities. In 2015 with over 1,000 attendees, the event raised a record breaking $120,000+ for the children of the Crisis Nursery. It’s the one event with free admission so we depend upon the generosity of the guests leaving tips with their waiters/waitresses to make our goal for the evening.
My favorite volunteer event is the Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure. It’s something about seeing over 20,000 people united in solidarity hoping and praying for an end to such an evil disease. AND the entire steering committee is volunteer; they spend the entire year putting together a fabulous event that raises nearly $1.5M ,the majority of which stays right here in St. Louis!
After one of your events is over, how do you measure its success?
The number one thing I use to evaluate the success of an event is whether it not only met but exceeded the fundraising budget. I always set my own personal goal and surprisingly I usually meet it! Some events are friend-raising events and instead look to bring donors or families closer to the resources that we offer, in which case success is determined by the number of people who attend. Overall, however, in the week or so following an event I look to see who is talking about the event! Word of mouth talk and publicity are GREAT, GREAT things that help keep the momentum going. It also ensures that those who missed the event this year make plans to attend in the future.
The person who nominated you said that “Ebonee is driven to serve her community.” What drives that commitment?
Originally from St. Louis, I moved to New Orleans for undergraduate and graduate school. I thought that would be home until Hurricane Katrina told me differently! Upon returning home, with a nine month old in tow, we received assistance from many St. Louis agencies, from St. Patrick’s Center to Girls, Inc., which made the transition much easier. Being welcomed home with open arms from so many generous people (strangers really) made me love the community that I grew up in that much more! Growing up, my mother was very active in municipal government and within our community in Berkeley. It is only natural that I walk in path she has created. Community work is my passion! I absolutely enjoy the work that I do and am thrilled by the challenge of creating experiences that drive donors back year after year allowing us the opportunity of connecting the community to service. So in short (not really J) My past drives me, my mother drives me and my inner need to be of service to other people.
