Shannon Kennedy is the Manager of Strategic Engagement at the Center for Global Sustainability (CGS) where she works across each project and initiative to direct and implement a range of activities to strengthen the mission and impact of CGS. Central to her role is the management of all communications, event coordination and design, engagement with all key stakeholders, and supporting the ongoing development of a shared vision of success across the whole team. In addition to these roles, Shannon supports the Global Sustainability Initiative, which coordinates interdisciplinary climate research across campus that has a strong focus on community engagement, policy, and equity.
Prior to joining CGS, she spent two years at the Center for American Progress as an event coordinator for the energy and environment team. While in grad school, Shannon discovered her passion for strategic engagement while at the Obama White House Council on Environmental Quality where she engaged with a number of communities and stakeholders, and led the American Campuses Act on Climate initiative. She spent her undergrad at the University at Buffalo and formed her identity as a “Terp” while completing her Masters in Public Policy at the University of Maryland School of Public Policy with a specialization in environmental policy. Outside of work hours, she enjoys painting, keeping up with current events, and spending time with family and friends.
- Collaborative action; community engagement; climate communications

Our work at CGS builds a model integrating engagement, analysis, and multi-level governance that can provide the driving force for enhanced ambition.
Learn More about Analytics for Global Climate Ambition
CGS is taking a leadership role in research to advance collaborative, innovative climate action and policy through the third installation of its America’s Pledge: expanding our unique research and analysis, strategic engagement and communications to inform the US strategy leading up to 2030.
Learn More about America’s Pledge: Building a Comprehensive American Climate PolicySchool Authors: Shannon Kennedy, Sha Yu, Jiawei Song
Other Authors: John O'Neill
School Authors: Kavita Surana, Shannon Kennedy
Other Authors: Ellen D. Williams
School Authors: Kavita Surana, Shannon Kennedy
Other Authors: Ellen D. Williams
School Authors: Irving Mintzer, Shannon Kennedy, Amber Leonard
Other Authors: Jiehong Lou , Sophie Smyth
School Authors: Nathan Hultman, Shannon Kennedy, Christina Bowman
School Authors: Yiyun 'Ryna' Cui, Kavita Surana, Shannon Kennedy