“I want to see myself at once at the center of the universe—influencing its course with every word, thought, and deed—and at the same time a minute instrument of the cosmos acting in harmony with the others.”
Shannon McNerney is an accomplished nonprofit leader with a deep commitment to service, storytelling, community building, and the arts. Since 2015, she has served as the Executive Director of Fishtrap, a literary arts and humanities organization based in Enterprise, Oregon, dedicated to cultivating clear thinking and good writing about the West. Under her stewardship, Fishtrap has expanded the reach of its programming including workshops, performances, readings, and events that engage writers, lifelong learners, and storylovers of all backgrounds. Shannon also led the organization through a strategic relocation, enhancing its operational capacity while preserving its core mission.
Prior to joining Fishtrap, Shannon built a diverse musical career, including roles in education, performance, and executive leadership. Her tenure as Executive Director of the Portland Symphonic Choir reflects her ability to unite artistic excellence with strong organizational management. She holds a Bachelor’s degree in Music Education from the University of Oregon and a Masters of Arts in Organizational Leadership from Gonzaga University.
Shannon's professional philosophy revolves around the transformative power of service, creativity, and storytelling in creating resilient organizations and thriving communities. Outside of her professional life, Shannon surrounds herself with words—sometimes her own musings, but mostly the inspiration of others. Her Wallowa County home is filled with books, dogs, cats, the occasional homegrown vegetable, and lots of music.