Shannon Koller

Philanthropy Associate

Shannon hails from Michigan’s Upper Peninsula, where she spent her youth building forts in the woods and riding her one-speed bike down endless gravel roads, often leading to spectacular wipeouts.

Shannon first experienced the magic of the San Juan Islands under the glow of Hale-Bopp Comet in 1997 and got married at San Juan Island County Park later that same year. When she is not in, on, or around the water, you can find Shannon on her sailboat in Friday Harbor, sometimes doing a crossword puzzle in a hammock strung between the mast and the forestay.

After working for many years as an international educator at UW, Shannon’s growing interest in youth wellness, community advocacy, and environmental preservation led her to the nonprofit sector. Over the last 10 years, she has served in philanthropy, leadership, and educational programming roles in Washington nonprofits, advancing missions related to community wellness.

“I’m grateful to the San Juan Preservation Trust and its partners for their vision in preserving the wild and beautiful places I have treasured for many years,” Shannon says. “I’m looking forward to deepening my connection to the community through the important work of the Preservation Trust.”