CONTACT US

Shelley Davis
National Advisor
(773) 892-2377 or sdavis@womensinitiative.org

Jena Johnson
National Expansion Resource Development Associate
(773) 892-2377 or jjohnson@womensinitiative.org

Shannon Penn
Master Trainer
spenn@womensinitiative.org

Chicago Staff Bios

Shelley A. Davis - National Advisor
Davis’s career mission is to advocate for marginalized communities, particularly low-income people of color and women.  Her professional background includes over twenty years of experience in the philanthropic and nonprofit sectors.  Davis’s work ranges from direct service to policy advocacy.  The majority of her career has been in philanthropic institutions including The Ford Foundation, Joyce Foundation and Chicago Foundation for Women.  As foundation staff, she has supported community organizing and advocacy groups working for public policy change. Currently, Davis serves as national advisor to the Women’s Initiative for Self Employment, an organization that provides entrepreneurship training and support for low-income women.  Additionally, Davis is a lecturer at The Harris School of Public Policy University of Chicago, where she focuses on nonprofit and philanthropic organizations’ impacts on public policy. Shelley Davis is married and the mother of two children.  She is a native of Chicago, holds a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from Lawrence University in Wisconsin and a Master of Urban Planning and Policy from University of Illinois at Chicago.

Jena Johnson
National Expansion Resource Development Associate
Jena comes to Women's Initiative with three years of public relations experience, working with both non-profit organizations and PR agencies. She has developed and executed strategic communications plans and promotional campaigns, having a hand in each stage of implementation. Before moving to Chicago, Jena worked with the Museum of Cultural and Natural History where she managed all promotional publications, media relations, program development, events and strategies. Relocating to Chicago, she worked for Jasculca/Terman enhancing her editing, writing, event management and media pitching skills. She holds a B.A.A. in Integrative Public Relations and Public Affairs from Central Michigan University.

Trainers/Consultants

Shannon Penn - Master Trainer
Shannon has over 10 years of business ownership experience primarily focused in property management and acquisitions. However, her career began in social welfare which was instrumental in planting her desire to support economic development and adult education efforts in her community. Shannon managed a loan fund for a Financial Development Corporation that provided millions of dollars in capital for minority owned small businesses. She has held numerous leadership roles in collegiate and vocational institutions where she developed expertise in curriculum development and adult learning. She currently offers courses at community colleges and leads professional development workshops for college faculty and administrators nationwide. Shannon combines her passion for business, education and social work to develop services that reach the economically disadvantaged. She volunteers on a loan committee that funds micro-enterprises in her community. She has been invited to speak at a host of business events where her enthusiasm for economic empowerment has encouraged many. Shannon earned a Master's Degree in Social Welfare from the University of California, Berkeley and holds certifications in adult education and accounting.

» Home | » Return To Top