Camelback Ventures Welcomes New CEO: Shawna Young
Educational Nonprofits | Philanthropic Foundations | Edtech Startups | Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Thought Leader | Social Impact Innovator I STEM Change Maker
Camelback Ventures is thrilled to announce that after an extensive search, the organization’s Board of Directors has appointed Shawna Young as our new Chief Executive Officer (CEO). With an unwavering commitment to social justice and a track record of transformative leadership, Shawna brings a wealth of experience that will propel our organization to new heights and looks forward to taking on this new role starting in early April of 2024.
“I'm profoundly excited about joining Camelback Ventures as the next CEO and having the opportunity to continue Aaron Walker’s vision for the organization that is at the forefront of driving equitable entrepreneurship and fostering diverse founders. I am personally inspired by Camelback's commitment to identifying and empowering entrepreneurs from diverse backgrounds. What excites me most about joining the Camelback community is the opportunity to catalyze meaningful change in the entrepreneurial landscape. I am particularly eager to champion Camelback's unique approach, which emphasizes holistic support, seed funding, mentorship, and community building. These pillars not only empower women and entrepreneurs of color but also cultivate a vibrant ecosystem for their ideas and organizations to flourish.”
-Shawna Young, incoming Camelback Ventures CEO
Shawna brings an impressive professional track record to Camelback leading and advising educational nonprofits, philanthropic foundations, and edtech startups. She has demonstrated exceptional dedication to advancing equity, diversity, and inclusion throughout her career, aligning perfectly with our organization's mission and values.
As we navigate through the complexities of our time, Shawna will provide visionary leadership, guiding us towards innovative solutions to systemic challenges. Shawna’s strategic insight, coupled with her passion for social justice, will empower us to effect meaningful change in the BIPOC communities we serve.
At Camelback Ventures, we remain steadfast in our commitment to dismantling barriers and fostering a more just and equitable society for all. With Shawna at the helm, our Board of Directors is confident that the organization will continue to push boundaries, advocate for marginalized voices, and drive tangible impact.
"Shawna is a seasoned executive that brings years of experience in guiding mission-driven nonprofit teams toward creating enduring impact. From guiding promising high school students towards elite college education to equipping women with the skills and knowledge to pursue tech careers, Shawna's leadership has consistently steered her organizations towards their goals. Throughout the recruitment process, Shawna showcased her dedication to Camelback's mission, strategic prowess, operational expertise, fundraising acumen, and emotional intelligence. I’m excited to see her apply these qualities to her new role as Camelback's CEO.
To the Camelback community: Aaron's leadership has been invaluable to us. His influence is evident in every aspect of our organization, from our vision and values, to our team. With this transition, the core elements that define Camelback remain intact—and will only be enhanced by Shawna's fresh perspective, energy, and wealth of experience.”
-Lloyd Johnson, Camelback Ventures Board Member
Shawna joins the Camelback team as a highly skilled Chief Executive who has held past roles at various prestigious institutions including Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), Duke University, Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Scratch Foundation, and most recently at Ada Developers Academy as Interim CEO. Young earned her Master’s of Business Administration from MIT, a Master’s in Science Education from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, and a Bachelor of Science in Chemistry from Howard University. She also earned a Certificate in Nonprofit Management and Leadership from Boston University. To learn more about Shawna’s background and achievements, please visit her LinkedIn profile and read her bio.
Shawna will also be attending our upcoming Guardian Summit in May. We hope you’ll join us and help us welcome Shawna into the Camelback Ventures community!
Together, let us embark on this new chapter with enthusiasm, determination, and a shared vision for a brighter, more equitable future.
In solidarity,
-The Camelback Ventures Team
Read more: Camelback Press Release