"Whatever you do, do it with all your heart and soul"
— Bernard M. Baruch
Meet Our Founder
Shawnna Silvius, PCED, MSOM, CEMO, CGA
Chief Development Strategist
Shawnna Silvius is Building CommUNITIES through Encouragement and Accountability — Coaching and Leadership Development programming for current and future leaders, development organizations, and government officials. She enjoys helping rural communities prioritize, plan, develop, and implement community and economic development projects, requiring diverse stakeholder engagement, layered financing, multiple phases, and redevelopment initiatives.
Shawnna officially founded iShine Productions® in July 2013 after four years of operating under eVentures Marketing. She is a seasoned rural development professional, entrepreneur, and elected official with more than 25 years of experience in all aspects of rural, community, and economic development and regional initiatives.
Over her career, she has facilitated and led development and grant administration projects as a senior economic development planner with a regional planning agency in the Omaha Metro region; in executive-level development positions for a county-wide non-profit and municipality; as a site selector and talent development consultant; as marketing coordinator for a development foundation; and she founded several civic and youth leadership programs. Most recently, she administered federal recovery and resiliency grants to expand and improve regional and statewide broadband access; created a regional digital equity plan; and coordinated a regional economic development partnership project and bi-state coalition.
What People Are Saying
Champion for Rural America
"Shawnna L. Silvius was chosen for this honor - the 2015 NREDA President's Award - for her service to NREDA on the Public Relations and Marketing Committee and her diligent, creative work on the twice monthly newsletter, the NREDA News Brief. Shawnna works tirelessly at the annual conferences taking photos, writing articles for the newsletter and working with volunteers to capture the learning components from various presenters and allied partners. Shawnna is a champion for rural America and stays updated on economic development matters. She has an eye for information that would be beneficial for members."
Rand Fisher
National Rural Economic Developers Association (NREDA), Former President
Professional, Talented, Flexible
"Her organizational skills are evident in the quality and look of her work. She responds extremely well to sudden program changes and is able to adjust quickly and effectively. I would recommend her work to anyone organizing a conference or event."
Rod Armstrong
Vice President of Strategic Partnerships, AIM Institute
Detailed and Visionary
"Shawnna's attention to detail is extraordinary and she's always willing to go the extra mile to complete a project correctly and on time. She is heavily involved in her communities and is truly a visionary leader."
Pat Haverty
Vice President, Lincoln Partnership for Economic Development
Master at Making Connections
"Shawnna is an exceptionally gifted professional who is creative and well-organized. She gets things done and is a master at making connections."
Connie Reimers-Hild, Ph.D
Chief Futurist, Wild Innovation
Heart and Soul
"Shawnna Silvius is one in a million - talented, creative, caring. She approaches every task with heart and soul...making others feel valued and important in the process. She is thorough, capable and responsible. She possesses the highest of standards, ethics and beliefs. Others seek her opinion and her counsel. She is loyal and respectful. I admire her greatly."
Joyce Bryan Strout
J.B. Strout & Co., President