When it comes to turning passion into progress, Shanna Snider leads with heart and purpose. As UWTC's senior director of community investment, she’s a connector, strategist and hands-on changemaker—linking people, programs and partners to drive community-powered solutions.
In her role, no two days look the same, and that's just how she likes it. Whether mentoring staff, launching initiatives or deep in strategic planning, Shanna balances big-picture vision with a boots-on-the-ground approach.
She joined UWTC one year ago as regional director, following a global impact career leading maternal health programs with Doctors Without Borders. But her heart called her home to Granbury, Texas, where she had a mission to make a difference in her own backyard.
"UWTC's breadth and depth of impact drew me, and I knew I had to be part of it."
And part of it, she is. From coordinating the training and graduation of 120 community-based doulas to helping shape safer futures for youth through the One Second Collaborative, Shanna centers every effort around community voice and lived experience.
One of her most meaningful moments? Celebrating those doulas' graduation.
"The room was full of joy—with mothers celebrating mothers, babies babbling, kids laughing. It was so real and perfectly captured the heart of what we're trying to build," she recalled. "It was a privilege to celebrate their hard work and commitment."
Outside of work, Shanna's energy and curiosity never slow. She's a scuba diver, cake baker, crossword queen and proud dog mom. And yes, she has a book club recommendation if you need one.
Check out the great work Shanna and her teammates are doing to make a difference in Tarrant County: unitedwaytarrant.org/what-we-do