Shannon Lee

Shannon Lee joined The Conservation Fund in 2010 and serves as Director of Strategic Giving Initiatives, developing philanthropic strategies and partnerships for priority programs and conservation efforts across the organization. Her work is anchored in national initiatives focused on working farms, urban conservation, and culturally significant places, while also supporting emerging opportunities and high-priority efforts that span geographies and program areas. She connects donors and partners with initiatives that expand access to land and capital, strengthen communities, protect important places, and advance conservation and economic outcomes nationwide.

Before transitioning into fundraising, Shannon helped develop and expand The Conservation Fund’s community-centered urban conservation work in cities across the country. In Atlanta, she worked closely with residents and partners to transform underused properties into parks and greenspaces that deliver environmental, social, and economic benefits.

A native Atlantan, Shannon holds a B.A. in Geography with a focus on Geographic Information Science and Environmental Conservation from Georgia State University and is a graduate of the Institute for Georgia Environmental Leadership. Before beginning her conservation career, she owned and operated a successful retail business for more than a decade. Her passion for the environment ultimately led her to change careers and pursue conservation full time.