About Shane Dunn (he/him)

“Enthusiastic.” “Passionate.” “Kind.” “Generous.” “Forward-thinking.” “Collaborative.” “Thoughtful.” “Relational.” “Inclusive.” “Empathetic.” “Strategic.” “Dedicated.” “Mission-Centric.”

Shane Dunn is a Boston-bsased principled, values-based servant leader and scholar-in-training who has contributed to the worthy missions of multiple effective social sector organizations in Greater Boston: Radcliffe Institute at Harvard University, Tufts University, MIT Sloan School of Management, Brandeis International Business School, Excel Academy Charter Schools, Uncommon Schools / Roxbury Prep Charter School, Rosie’s Place, GLBTQ Legal Advocates & Defenders (GLAD Law), Ellis Early Learning Center, and Benjamin Franklin Cummings Institute of Technology. Throughout his career, he has cultivated and deepened his commitment to allyship, diversity, equity, inclusion, belonging, and justice in the workplace and with his partners. Shane’s primary professional work has been in the areas of fundraising, alumni engagement, external relations, and political advocacy.

Currently, Shane is a member of the Boston College Lynch School of Education’s Executive Ed.D. in Higher Education Administration Program. His current research looks at pathways to the college presidency for underrepresented candidates and also focuses on equity for the LGBTQ+ community in higher education. Currently, he also serves as Deputy Director of Development at Benjamin Franklin Cummings Institute of Technology (Franklin Cummings Tech), the only two-year private technical school in Massachusetts, whose mission is to provide transformative technical education for economic advancement.

In addition to his extensive professional experience in K-12, higher education, and social services, Shane has a long history of volunteer leadership with nonprofit, civic, and alumni organizations. Since 2014, he has served on the Board of Directors of GLBTQ Legal Advocates & Defenders (GLAD Law), a Boston-based nonprofit organization that has paved the way for nearly fifty years in protecting, defending, and advancing the rights of the LGBTQ+ community. From 2022-2024, he served as Chair of the Board of Directors.

As an unabashed supporter of DEI and anti-racism initiatives at all types of organizations, he is a 2025 cohort member of the LeadBoston program hosted by YWBoston for leaders committed to further exploring diversity, equity, and inclusion in Greater Boston.

Shane is a first-generation college graduate of Cornell University, where he earned a bachelor’s degree in Communication and a minor in Inequality Studies. He earned a master’s degree in higher education administration from Boston College. Shane has served in several local and national alumni leadership roles for Cornell and was the youngest nominee in the University’s history to become an alumni-elected trustee. He is the 2024 recipient of the Cornell College of Agriculture and Life Sciences (CALS) Alumni Association Young Alumni Achievement Award.

A native of Waterville, New York, Shane now lives in the Roxbury neighborhood of Boston with his wife and children.