Shaunta McGee

Background

About Shaunta McGee

I participated in a TRIO program in high school, and it changed the trajectory of my life. Growing up in a disadvantaged community, TRIO was my lifeline—the bridge that helped me access college and imagine a future I hadn’t thought was possible. That experience ignited a lifelong mission: to build life-changing opportunities for others. Hi, I’m Shaunta—and I’ve spent the past two decades working across sectors that address the root causes of inequity: women’s health, poverty, housing, food insecurity, and now child welfare. My work is not just about programs—it’s about people. It's about dismantling barriers and rebuilding pathways for families to thrive. Today, I serve as the Chief Program Officer at One Family Illinois, where I provide strategic leadership across foster care, behavioral health, and licensing services. I lead a multidisciplinary team that is committed to healing, hope, and equity for children and families. My day-to-day includes everything from managing multi-site program operations to building leadership pipelines, securing funding, and ensuring compliance with DCFS and Medicaid standards. Here are a few career highlights I’m especially proud of: Rebuilt an entire department in 90 days following a leadership and staff exodus—hiring, onboarding, and stabilizing a high-performing, mission-driven team. Managed a $5M+ COVID-19 relief grant that launched critical housing stability programs for low-income families. Honored with the Susan G. Komen Promise of One Award for expanding access to mammograms for undocumented women through strategic healthcare partnerships. Every step of my journey has been guided by purpose, integrity, and the belief that systems can—and must—be transformed to better serve our communities. I’m always open to connecting with mission-aligned leaders, funders, and innovators. Let’s build something better together