Shannon is an accomplished senior executive leader in the field of Information Technology (IT) operations, specializing in higher education. With over twenty years of experience, Shannon has demonstrated a strong track record of leadership and innovation. She has successfully managed teams of up to 45 IT professionals, overseeing an annual budget exceeding $3 million.
Shannon's expertise encompasses various facets of IT management, including strategic planning, budget management, procurement, Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) systems like Workday and Peoplesoft, team building, network infrastructure, cybersecurity, disaster recovery, CRM, IT help desk services, and third-party applications and integrations.
Her academic background includes a Doctor of Business Administration in Leadership, an MS in Management, and a BS in Business Administration in Marketing. Additionally, she holds a Specialized Certificate in Strategy Execution and a certificate in AI for Business from Harvard Business School, and a Certificate in Technology Leadership from Cornell University.
Shannon's career highlights include serving as the Director of IT/College CIO at the Georgia Institute of Technology's Scheller College of Business, where she led a team of 15 IT professionals and managed a $2 million budget. She has also held key IT leadership positions at Atlanta Technical College, Clayton State University, and Albany State University.
Apart from her professional roles, Shannon has contributed to academia, serving as an Associate Faculty member at the University of Phoenix and Adjunct Faculty at Ohio Christian University. Shannon taught a range of courses in business and management, including subjects like Management, Management Theory, Management Application Theory and Practice, Marketing and Advertising for Managers, and Entrepreneur Basics.
Her impressive qualifications are backed by certifications such as PMP, ITIL Foundations, and HDI certifications, in addition to executive education from Cornell and Harvard University.
Shannon's dedication to IT leadership is underscored by her active involvement in executive and administrative committees, academic research, and numerous presentations and panels. She has authored a book titled "Understanding the Game of Executive Leadership: Strategies to Win," published by ITSMF. Shannon J. Thomas is a well-rounded IT leader with a proven record of success in the higher education sector.