94 Millennium - A Marquis Who’s Who Magazine BUSINESS SERVICES, CONSULTING AND HUMAN RESOURCES several industry-related organizations, including the National Small Business Association and the Black Achievers Society, and she serves as a commissioner for the Jackson County Ethics, Human Relations and Citizens Complaints Office. Before embarking on her vocational journey, she pursued a formal education, earning a Bachelor of Business Administration at Park College and a Master of Arts in management at Webster University. Well-regarded for her dedication to her career, Ms. Shannon is especially proud to have been honored with the Hallmark “Hall Legacy Award.” She also received recognition as a Small Business SuperStar from the Greater Kansas City Chamber of Commerce and the Community Partner Award from SCORE Kansas City in 2023. Attributing much of her success to her relatable nature and approachable personality, Ms. Shannon hopes to continue expanding her business and communicating the business case for doing business with small, diverse businesses. With nearly three decades of professional experience, Mary Shannon is an expert in the field of business management. In 2018, she founded Connectus Worldwide LLC in Lee’s Summit, Missouri, where she continues to operate as a consultant. The business consulting firm specializes in assisting minority, women-owned, veteran and LGBTQ+ business enterprises in obtaining and leveraging their diverse business certifications. Ms. Shannon specifically supports corporations in analyzing and identifying opportunities for integrating a supplier diversity program into their corporate strategy. Since 2021, Ms. Shannon has consulted with more than 15 high-profile corporations at the vanguard of a new regional effort to boost supplier diversity programs. Such programs promote equity in buying decisions and support local businesses through a CEO-to-CEO challenge initiative powered by KC Rising, KCSourceLink and Connectus Worldwide, in collaboration with the Civic Council of Greater Kansas City and the Greater Kanas City Chamber of Commerce. Prior to founding her own company, Ms. Shannon served as the supplier diversity manager for Hallmark Cards Inc., a multi-billion-dollar corporation, from 2004 to 2013. As part of her commitment to her professional endeavors, Ms. Shannon remains affiliated with MARY SHANNON FOUNDER, CONSULTANT Connectus Worldwide LLC Lee’s Summit, MO
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