Leadership

Shenell Thompson partners with the community to improve the quality of life for residents of Forsyth County. Her work engages grantees, stakeholders, and the community to identify gaps, dismantle systems that disproportionately impact historically marginalized groups, and recommend resource allocations toward systems change. Drawing from her lived experience as a long-time resident of Forsyth County, she brings her authentic self to the work of creating a more inclusive economy.

Since joining The Trust in May 2020, Ms. Thompson is most proud of her intentional work to build the capacity of leaders in Forsyth County. She has partnered with Career Maven to connect Black women leading nonprofits to the B. Well Initiative. Understanding the massive burden of leadership, she curates spaces that remind people to breathe, prioritize self-care, and work with intention. Guided by the principle she taught her children—“Don’t be afraid to start over!”—Ms. Thompson reflects on leaving an organization after 15 years as the scariest yet most rewarding professional transition of her life.

When the day is done, Ms. Thompson is mastering empty nesting with her husband. She enjoys learning to bake, hosting friends for chicken and waffles, and FaceTiming her three amazing adult children. Outside of work, she spends time at church, cooking, and finding intentional pauses. In the year ahead, she hopes to focus even more on glimmers of joy.