Shannon Jackson named CEO of
Special Olympics Alabama
Special Olympics Alabama is pleased to announce it has selected Shannon Jackson as its next CEO, effective July 15, 2026.
Shannon Jackson is a seasoned nonprofit executive with more than 30 years of experience in fundraising, operations, and organizational leadership, including nearly two decades in senior management roles. Most recently serving as CEO of SAFE Shelter, she led a $2.1 million organization with 27+ staff, overseeing all aspects of operations, strategic planning, and revenue development. Her leadership resulted in improved financial stability, strengthened organizational infrastructure, and enhanced service delivery.
Across prior roles, including executive leadership at Lowcountry Legal Volunteers and regional leadership with the American Cancer Society, Shannon has consistently driven revenue growth, expanded community engagement, and aligned programs with strategic goals. Her background reflects deep expertise in donor development, grant writing, board relations, and large-scale event fundraising.
"Shannon’s breadth of leadership experience, coupled with her background in serving underserved populations, position her well to lead Special Olympics Alabama into the future,” said Dr. Larry Molt, Special Olympics Alabama’s Board Chair, “we are confident she will be the transformative, strategic, and relationship-driven leader to lead the organization into a new era of growth and impact."
Shannon looks forward to forging new and stronger partnerships with athletes, volunteers, supporters, partners and the Board of Directors: "each of Special Olympics Alabama’s stakeholder groups deserves to be heard and our path forward will require collaboration, transparency, and listening - the building blocks for effective relationships,” she added “The mission speaks to me and I am honored to serve as an advocate for this critical work and the for the full inclusion, dignity, and empowerment of those Special Olympics serves.”
The Mission of Special Olympics Alabama is to provide year-round sports training and athletic competition in a variety of Olympic-type sports for children and adults with an intellectual disability, giving them continuing opportunities to develop physical fitness, demonstrate courage, experience joy, and participate in the sharing of gifts, skills, and friendship with their families, other Special Olympics athletes, and the community.
Our Vision is that sport will open hearts and minds towards people with intellectual disabilities (ID), create more inclusive communities across Alabama, and end discrimination against people with ID.
Please join us in welcoming Shannon to the Special Olympics Alabama team!
The mission of Special Olympics is to provide year-round sports training and athletic competition in a variety of Olympic-type sports for children and adults with intellectual disabilities, giving them continuing opportunities to develop physical fitness, demonstrate courage, experience joy and participate in a sharing of gifts, skills and friendship with their families, other Special Olympics athletes and the community.
Special Olympics is an unprecedented global movement which, through quality sports training and competition, improves the lives of people with intellectual disabilities and, in turn, the lives of everyone they touch.
*Special Olympics empowers people with intellectual disabilities to realize their full potential and develop their skills through year-round sports training and
competition.
*As a result, Special Olympics athletes become fulfilled and productive members of their families and communities in which they live.
*Special Olympics is an experience that is energizing, healthy, skillful, welcoming and joyful.