Dr. Fahnie Stewart Shaw is the newly appointed Chief Operating Officer of Communities in Schools of Mecklenburg County.  Fahnie most recently served as the Chief Operating Officer of the Urban League of Central Carolinas, where she ushered in over one million dollars and programming expertise to support women’s workforce development, college and career readiness, partnerships, and engagement strategies that provided a runway for strategic investment and professional services both through auxiliary organizations and community.  Dr. Shaw is the former Director of Title I Engagement, Outreach and Specialized Services for Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools. In this work, she supported and led areas concerning leadership development, equity policies, district public and private school supports, and family and community engagement and outreach efforts. Fahnie led the implementation of key components in the strategic plan concerning culture and engagement; federal monitoring, language supports, and governed equitable services for non-public schools, as well as entities identified as neglected and delinquent institutions.

Dr. Shaw attended Norfolk State University, is a graduate of the University of South Carolina with a bachelor’s in Business Administration Management; a master’s in Organizational Management from Chapman University; and a doctoral degree in Educational Leadership and Administration from Argosy University. Fahnie is a Six Sigma Black Belt Certified Professional with executive certifications in school administration, human resources management, and diversity, equity and inclusion from Johns Hopkins, Duke University, and Cornell University, respectively.

Dr. Shaw has led teams through Government Services work for the Department of Interior, Education, and Defense; she has led learning and development teams within financial institutions Bank of America and CitiFinancial. Fahnie has been sought after to mobilize community and work through national wrap around service models through the Housing Impact Fund and recognized as a trailblazer in education and engagement by the Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association and the North Carolina Governors Council. Fahnie is also the executive director and founder of i3Engagement, LLC which serves as a strategy, engagement and development agency for organizations, businesses, and enterprising non-profits. 

Dr. Fahnie Shaw has been honored for her work in educational leadership, development, process improvement, community engagement and applied research. She has been awarded the Harris Teeter Teacher of the Year Award; honored by students as the Time Warner Cable Star Teacher; recognized and inducted into the National Honors Society for Collegiate Scholars, distinguished as one of Real Time Media’s Who’s Who of Black Charlotte, and most recently, recognized as one of Charlotte Ledger’s 40 over 40. Dr. Fahnie Shaw is a member of Leadership Charlotte Class 41 and the City of Charlotte’s Civic Leaders Academy Cohort 3. Her advocacy areas are social justice, housing, economic development, mobility, wealth, ownership, and education. Dr. Fahnie Shaw is a member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. and she attends St. Marks United Methodist Church; where she is a part of Women’s Circle 4, is the current Collegiate Ministry co-chair, and former Girl Scout Troop Leader of Troop 2873.  Fahnie serves on the board of Childcare Resources, Inc., and is a proud mentor for the Ruth G. Shaw Scholars program.