Nonprofit Work

ADAPTIVE SPORTS

As the Communications Manager for Disabled Sports USA, a national nonprofit organization that works to improve the lives of wounded warriors, youth and adults with disabilities by providing sports and recreation opportunities, Shuan spearheads the communication initiatives, including the organization’s social media, printed products, and other marketing materials. In this role, he serves as the Editor of the award-winning Challenge magazine, the nation’s leading adaptive sports publication that is printed three times a year. He has also coordinated the annual Honoring America’s Wounded Warfighters Dinner at The Plaza in New York City and the annual U.S. Disabled Sports Hall of Fame induction.

HERITAGE TOURISM

While serving as the National Scenic Byway Director for The Journey Through Hallowed Ground Partnership, Shuan focused on transportation, planning, preservation, conservation and tourism projects. He chaired the National Scenic Byways 25^th Anniversary Congressional Reception on Capitol Hill. In addition, he led a conservation effort with over 4,000 trees with various volunteer groups. And finally, he worked with the National Park Service on heritage area activities including film screenings, gallery exhibits and a panel discussion at the Kennedy Center, and a community volunteer day with the Vans Warped Tour.

CULTURAL ARTS

Shuan served as the Executive Director of the Frederick Arts Council, the umbrella arts organization for Frederick County.  He oversaw the management of the Cultural Arts Center, a 14,000 square foot multipurpose arts facility consisting of a theater, gallery, event hall, and office complex.  He successfully facilitated a merger with the nonprofit Frederick Festival of the Arts, a fine arts and crafts festival that draws over 20,000 people annually, that cut overhead by $100,000 and allowed the festival to eliminate the admission fee for patrons.  In addition, he led the highly successful Keys to Frederick project and other public art initiatives. Furthermore, he created Art in the Park, a yearly event in collaboration with the city’s minor league baseball team, the Frederick Keys, that still takes place and has been a model for other communities across the country.  As a result, the organization’s brand, impact, and financial stability was significantly increased.  His efforts led the city to be recognized as a Top 25 Small Arts City by American Style Magazine for three years in a row. Downtown Frederick’s Arts & Entertainment District, which he co-managed with the city’s Main Street Program, was also named the Arts and Entertainment District of the Year by the Maryland Department of Business and Economic Development in 2010.

CIVIC ENGAGEMENT/YOUTH DEVELOPMENT

Shuan led a national nonprofit youth civic engagement program with 60 sites in 20 states. Organized an annual conference as well as a four-event speaker series focused on civic engagement in collaboration with other national organizations. Participated in a Digital Video Conference sponsored by the U.S. State Department with the U.S Embassy in Tel Aviv, Israel, led a workshop as part of the Navajo Boys and Girls Club Training in Bloomfield, New Mexico, and presented at numerous national conferences and venues. Founded and chaired a local Martin Luther King, Jr. Day of Service event. Spent six years as a part-time youth minister as well.