Meet Shawnna Silvius
Shawnna Silvius
Practitioner. Facilitator. Community Builder. Believer in What's Possible.
For Shawnna Silvius, community and leadership development isn't something learned only from a textbook or observed from the sidelines.
She's experienced it from many sides of the table — as a municipal administrator, two-term mayor, community and economic developer, senior-level regional planner, grant administrator, communicator, facilitator, resident and volunteer.
Across more than 70 communities, 11 counties and multiple states, that experience has reinforced one central belief:
People and communities often possess far more potential than they realize.
Why This Work Matters
Shawnna's career has centered on helping people recognize opportunities, bring the right people and resources together, overcome barriers and move ideas toward implementation.
Along the way, she discovered that the most meaningful transformation isn't simply a completed project, successful grant or finished plan.
It happens when people begin to see themselves — and what is possible for their community — differently.
That belief became the foundation for VISION™, Shawnna's framework for helping people, organizations and communities discover what is already within them and develop the leadership, relationships, ownership and practical strategies necessary to bring that potential to life.
Experience From Both Sides of the Table
City Administrator
City of Avoca, Iowa
Former Two-Term Mayor
Red Oak, Iowa
Former County Economic Developer
Former Senior-Level Regional Planner
Grant Administrator & Project Champion
Federal and state grants and financial packaging exceeding $50 million
Community & Regional Experience
More than 70 communities across 11 counties and multiple states
Master's Degree
Peru State College
Certified Professional Community & Economic Developer
PCEDP
Certified Elected Municipal Officer
CEMO
Her Approach
People don't need someone else to be the hero of their story.
They need opportunities to recognize their own strengths, develop their capacity, connect with others and discover what they're capable of creating together.
Shawnna's role is not to make people or communities dependent upon a consultant. It is to help develop the leadership and ownership necessary for progress to continue long after the engagement ends.
"Our role isn't to become the hero of someone else's story. Our role is to help people recognize the hero already within themselves."
Leadership is stewardship.
Shawnna's work is grounded in the belief that each of us has been given gifts, opportunities and influence that carry a responsibility to serve others well. Her faith shapes how she approaches that responsibility — with purpose, humility, hope and a belief in the value and potential of every person.
"To whom much is given, much will be required." — Luke 12:48
Let's Talk About What's Possible.
Planning an annual meeting, conference, leadership program, board or council retreat, strategic planning process or community visioning session?
Tell me a little about your organization, your audience and what you're hoping to accomplish.