Shannon Van Buskirk Featured in Influential Women as a Leader in Philanthropy, Communication, and Community Impact
Influential Women has announced the inclusion of Shannon Van Buskirk in its 2025 series, recognizing her as a philanthropic advisor whose career reflects an extraordinary blend of adaptability, leadership, and heartfelt dedication to making a meaningful difference in the Sioux Falls community.
Shannon’s professional journey is a testament to resilience, reinvention, and purpose. Over the years, she has cultivated a multifaceted career defined by versatility, excellence, and a deep commitment to community betterment. With 12 years in pharmaceutical sales and a distinguished career in broadcast journalism spanning multiple states, Shannon has consistently demonstrated a powerful ability to connect with people, communicate effectively, and build authentic relationships that drive impact.
Her early professional experiences laid a strong foundation for her later work as a philanthropic advisor with the Sioux Falls Area Community Foundation, where she helped donors create personalized giving strategies aligned with their values and long-term goals. In that role, Shannon leveraged her diverse background in sales, media, and nonprofit leadership to craft innovative approaches that amplified the reach and effectiveness of charitable giving. Her expertise in storytelling, communication, and relationship-building ensured that key community initiatives in education, healthcare, arts and culture, and social services were effectively supported and celebrated.
Beyond her professional achievements, Shannon has demonstrated an enduring commitment to community service. She has been deeply involved with Levitt at the Falls, a beloved local music organization, where she contributed from its early days and remained an integral part of the organization for nine years. Her continued service also includes joining the board of Bread Break, a nonprofit dedicated to strengthening the cultural and social fabric of Sioux Falls. Through these roles, Shannon exemplifies her belief that lasting change stems from collaboration, strategic philanthropy, and shared resources—principles she applies in every aspect of her work and volunteer efforts.
Shannon’s academic foundation reflects her dual strengths in business and communication. She holds an MBA in Health Care Administration from the University of Sioux Falls and a BA in Mass Communication/Broadcast Journalism from Augsburg University. Her achievements have been recognized through multiple professional awards, including Pfizer’s Vice President’s Cabinet Award and District Sales Representative of the Year, both underscoring her consistent excellence and leadership across vastly different industries.
Shannon attributes her success to a combination of persistence, adaptability, and the unwavering support of those around her. She has always worked hard to remain open to learning, viewing challenges as opportunities for growth, and continuing to move forward even when the path wasn’t entirely clear. At the same time, she recognizes that her journey has been shaped by the guidance and encouragement of mentors, colleagues, and loved ones. For Shannon, success has truly been a balance of personal effort and collective support.
The best career advice Shannon has ever received is to stay curious and never be afraid to reinvent yourself. This mindset empowered her to make bold transitions—from broadcast journalism to pharmaceutical sales and, later, to philanthropy. Though these industries are vastly different, each required her to connect with people, communicate effectively, and create a positive impact. Whenever she stepped into a new field, Shannon leaned on that advice. Rather than asking, “Do I already know everything about this industry?” she asked, “What can I learn, and how can I bring my strengths into this new space?” That perspective has proven invaluable throughout her career.
Shannon encourages young women to trust the value they bring, even if their paths don’t look like everyone else’s. Her own career journey—from broadcast journalism to pharmaceutical sales to philanthropy—illustrates that success doesn’t have to follow a straight line. While each transition came with a learning curve, what carried her through was confidence in her ability to adapt and a deep commitment to curiosity. Her advice is simple but powerful: don’t box yourself in. Be open to opportunities, lean on your strengths, and remember that your unique journey is an asset, not a limitation.
Throughout her experiences in journalism, pharmaceutical sales, and philanthropy, Shannon has observed a common thread: the challenge lies in cutting through noise and complexity to deliver genuine value. In journalism, it was about earning trust in an information-saturated world. In pharmaceuticals, it meant ensuring that life-changing treatments reached the patients who needed them most. In philanthropy, it’s about directing resources toward lasting, systemic change rather than short-term solutions. Across all these sectors, the greatest opportunity remains the same—people crave authenticity, transparency, and impact. Whether through storytelling, healthcare, or community building, the true opportunity lies in fostering trust and creating meaningful connections that drive real change.
Integrity, empathy, and a desire to make a difference are the values that guide Shannon in both her professional and personal life. Whether she’s telling stories in journalism, connecting patients to vital treatments, or supporting communities through philanthropic initiatives, these core principles shape how she leads and the kind of impact she strives to make every day.
Outside of her professional endeavors, Shannon leads an active and adventurous life. A lifelong swimmer, she enjoys exercise, Pilates, and spending time with her two beloved dogs. She is also passionate about music, frequently attending concerts, and loves surfing and skiing, embracing every opportunity to stay active and connected to nature.
Through her diverse career and unwavering commitment to service, Shannon Van Buskirk continues to inspire others to lead with curiosity, compassion, and purpose—qualities that truly define an Influential Woman.
Learn More about Shannon Van Buskirk:
Through her Influential Women profile, https://influentialwomen.com/connect/shannon-vanbuskirk
Influential Women
Influential Women provides a platform where women from all backgrounds can connect, share their perspectives, and create content that empowers themselves and others. Through storytelling, thought leadership, and creative expression, Influential Women amplifies voices that inspire change.
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