Shawna joined CJRW in January 2025 with more than 20 years of experience in public relations, media strategy and public policy communications. She leads strategic messaging and storytelling that puts Arkansas destinations, brands and institutions on the national map, managing public relations for clients including Arkansas Parks & Tourism, Oaklawn and the National Cold War Center.

Before CJRW, Shawna spent her career in the U.S. Senate and federal government across four presidential administrations, supporting major national initiatives and overseeing press operations for presidential inaugurations, State of the Union addresses and national political conventions. If there was a teleprompter involved, she probably had a hand in it!

A Little Rock native, Shawna holds degrees from the University of Arkansas and Georgetown University, along with a Certificate in Authentic Leadership from Harvard Kennedy School (because if you’re going to lead, you might as well have the paperwork to prove it). When she’s off the clock, she’s usually mapping out her next adventure, mentoring future leaders or spending time with her nephews and her dog, George.