Steven E. Shaw is a cross-sector executive whose career reflects more than twenty-five years of leadership at the intersection of corporate innovation, public service, and community impact. Guided by a steadfast belief that strong institutions and strong communities rise together, he has dedicated his professional life to creating systems, partnerships, and programs that expand opportunity and deliver measurable, lasting change. His work spans Fortune 50 corporations, major government agencies, civic consulting, and nonprofit governance—each chapter demonstrating his ability to navigate complexity, build coalitions, and transform vision into execution.
Throughout his career, Steven has distinguished himself as a strategist who leads with curiosity, empathy, and a rigorous commitment to outcomes. His progression from early financial analysis roles into senior leadership positions reflects not only technical proficiency but a rare ability to translate organizational goals into community-focused solutions. Whether directing multimillion-dollar philanthropic portfolios, designing policy frameworks impacting hundreds of thousands of residents, or co-founding innovation ecosystems for emerging entrepreneurs, he consistently applies a disciplined, systems-level approach to problem solving.
Steven’s tenure at Verizon marked a pivotal period of innovation and impact. As Community Engagement Director for the Midwest, he led the deployment of a $5 million corporate philanthropy portfolio, directing more than $1 million annually in Chicago alone. His leadership helped shape a regional strategy anchored in digital equity, STEM access, and economic mobility, particularly for historically underserved communities. Steven co-founded TechRise, a groundbreaking initiative that deployed $3 million in capital to diverse tech founders and catalyzed more than $150 million in follow-on investment. His vision also helped establish the E-Commerce Learning Lab, empowering small businesses with digital tools to expand revenue and long-term sustainability.
Prior to his corporate leadership, Steven built a respected reputation in civic and public-sector consulting. At Civic Consulting Alliance, he served as Associate Principal and led highly visible engagements centered on economic development, workforce systems, and municipal policy reform. His leadership of the Mayor’s Working Families Task Force positioned Chicago to advance policies related to paid sick leave, predictive scheduling, and family leave for more than 400,000 low-income workers. His work to streamline healthcare student clinical placements and support federal funding strategies for the region’s manufacturing sector demonstrated his ability to design solutions that merge policy, data, and operational execution.
Steven’s public-sector leadership deepened during his time with the State of Illinois, where he served as Senior Advisor in the Office of the Secretary. There, he oversaw technology modernization efforts and communications strategies impacting millions of residents statewide. His consolidation of provider reporting systems reduced administrative burden across a $2 billion grant portfolio, while his leadership of the Put Illinois to Work program contributed to the creation of 25,000 temporary jobs for low-income and TANF-eligible individuals—one of the largest statewide employment programs of its time.
Earlier in his career, Steven shaped financial and housing strategies for the Chicago Housing Authority as a manager within the Offices of the CFO and Budget & Management. He directed financial planning for a $900 million operations budget and helped preserve 344 units of affordable housing through coordinated redevelopment efforts. These foundational roles strengthened his understanding of large-scale budgeting, operational resilience, and the importance of human-centered decision-making—skills that would become defining features of his leadership approach.
Complementing his corporate and governmental experience, Steven has cultivated a successful independent consulting practice through TSC, advising executives, corporations, and community organizations on leadership development, partnership design, and organizational strategy. Serving as Interim Executive Director of the KLEO Center, he guided the organization through a critical transition, overseeing operations, civic engagement, and youth employment initiatives supported by a $650,000 grant. His ability to enter diverse environments and quickly drive alignment, stability, and forward momentum has earned him recognition as a trusted advisor and bridge-builder.
In addition to his consulting practice, Steven serves as a trusted advisor to innovative startups at the forefront of their respective industries. With OverBoard Sports, he brings strategic guidance and facilitates partnerships for a platform that reimagines fan engagement—melding the excitement of sports betting with the social connectivity of fantasy sports to build a skill-based, data-driven experience that benefits fans, teams, and sponsors alike. As an advisor to Bisi Books, Steven leverages his expertise in ecosystem development and partnership design to help expand the organization’s Capital Readiness Initiative nationally, supporting early-stage founders and enabling financial institutions to engage proactively in building fundable ventures. His advisory work reflects a commitment to advancing solutions that drive growth, inclusion, and sustainable impact across emerging sectors.
Today, Steven extends his leadership through influential board and civic commitments. As Board Chair of The People’s Music School, Vice Chair of the African American Legacy Fund, and Board Member of Social Responsibility Chicago, he continues to champion equity, innovation, and community empowerment. These roles reflect not only his professional expertise but his deeply rooted personal values—service, stewardship, and the belief in investing in people and ideas that strengthen the fabric of communities.
Steven’s educational foundation includes a Master in Public Administration from Harvard Kennedy School with a concentration in nonprofit management and social enterprise, and a Bachelor of Arts in Economics from Morehouse College, where he graduated magna cum laude. His academic grounding in leadership, economics, and organizational systems complements his decades of practical experience driving cross-sector collaboration.
Across every chapter of his career, Steven has demonstrated a rare blend of strategic insight, operational rigor, and human-centered leadership. He is energized by opportunities that require navigating ambiguity, aligning diverse stakeholders, and designing sustainable solutions that balance innovation with measurable impact. His work reflects not just professional accomplishment but a lifelong commitment to building pathways that expand opportunity and strengthen communities.
In every role, Steven remains guided by a simple but powerful belief: purpose-driven leadership has the capacity to transform institutions, uplift communities, and unlock the potential for collective progress. He continues to bring this conviction—and a record of measurable results—to organizations seeking experienced, values-driven leadership at the board and executive levels.
Character:
Steven exemplifies integrity through a leadership style grounded in service, accountability, and respect for the communities he engages. His decisions consistently reflect a dedication to equity and long-term impact rather than short-term gains. He believes that leadership is a responsibility to uplift others and build systems that outlast any single individual.
Knowledge:
With more than twenty-five years across corporate, public, and nonprofit sectors, Steven offers a breadth of operational and strategic experience unmatched by many peers. His expertise spans philanthropy, economic development, digital equity, policy reform, and organizational growth. He brings a deep understanding of cross-sector dynamics and how to leverage systems to drive scalable change.
Strategic:
Steven demonstrates strategic acumen by transforming ambitious visions into practical, measurable initiatives with lasting outcomes. He excels at designing frameworks, partnerships, and programs that align diverse stakeholders around shared goals. His ability to anticipate challenges, navigate ambiguity, and guide organizations through pivotal transitions defines his strategic influence.
Communication:
As a gifted communicator, Steven has led national conversations, moderated high-profile events, and delivered leadership training to senior executives. He conveys complex ideas with clarity and purpose, enabling teams and partners to align quickly and effectively. His communication style is grounded in empathy, transparency, and the belief that collaboration begins with shared understanding.
