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Leader and Lifelong Learner
Being no stranger to adversity, I’ve experienced my fair share of difficult times. At 6 years old, I was taken from my abusive household and put into a children’s hospital. After a few months in the hospital, I was placed into a not-so-pleasant foster home where I lived until I was finally adopted by an extended family member. Growing up in urban Los Angeles brought its own set of challenges, from significant racial differences to living below the poverty line, I’ve learned to adapt and overcome.
In August of 2020, I was diagnosed with a brain tumor (non-cancerous, thankfully!). The tumor changed my life. I’ve realized through this struggle, that I have the fortunate responsibility to use my skills, my story and my willpower towards the greater good.
I’ve spent 15 years in the corporate world (currently working at a Fortune 50 owned company), mainly focused on leading sales teams and global sales strategy.
I have my degree in Graphic Design from Platt College, Los Angeles, hold a certificate in Entrepreneurship & Innovation from Stanford University, and have taken courses around the Science of Wellbeing & Happiness at Yale University.
I’ve lived in Austin for 13 years now and I’m excited to help our homeless population get back on their feet.
Serial Non-Profit Advisor and Project Management Expert
I grew up just outside of Austin and am honored to be a part of an organization focused on giving back to our local community. Connection, compassion, and growth are incredibly important to me and I have dedicated a lot of my time and energy to support organizations that bring more of these things into the world. I have a passion for projects that make the world a better place and support humans in this shared human experience.
My professional background ranges from technology, event production, non-profit and start-up advisory, to human potential and conscious/mission-driven organizations. I have a knack for translating big-picture visions into actionable processes that create clear connections throughout the layers of projects, programs, and organizations.
I’ve traveled the world and feel impassioned by the beauty I’ve experienced through connection beyond cultural, sócio-economic, and circumstantial differences. Bringing more awareness to the value of human connection is something that draws me to the focus and mission of Humanize Austin. I am extremely inspired by our team and our mission and look forward to impacting the Austin community, and beyond, in a meaningful way!
Law Enforcement Leader
I currently work as the sex offender registration supervisor for my Police Department.
Prior to my current role, I worked as a patrol sergeant where I supervised 10 officers. Before becoming a sergeant, I was a domestic violence detective where I was a victim advocate against domestic violence and thoroughly investigated domestic disturbances while preparing cases for trial. I appeared and testified in court as a subject and expert witness. I also served active warrants.
As an officer, I worked as a strategic intelligence officer, where I monitored and investigated suspicious persons, situations, and unusual activities in Central Texas. As a patrol officer, I worked on building trust and relationships in the community for 6 years.
I hold a Bachelor of Applied Arts and Science as well as a Master of Criminal Justice in Human Sciences and Human Services.
Startup Technology Executive
Over the last 20 years, I have lived in Austin, San Francisco, South Florida, and New York building a broad perspective through interactions with people in all walks of life. However unique the different regions of our world may be, homelessness is ever present, cutting across race, religion, age, and upbringing. Because of these inherent complexities, society’s approach to self-healing must be asymmetric, composed of strategies cultivated from humility, compassion, creativity, and love.
I build software products and have had the opportunity to contribute in nearly every role in the process. The majority of my career has been spent as an engineer working with a variety of technology stacks. As cofounder of Prosperify, an attempt to make quant trading available to the retail market, I designed and built an automated securities trading engine and registered with the SEC as an Internet Investment Advisor. More recently, I directed teams of product management and engineering professionals in the financial services and education industries.
One of the most important aspects of our lives is how we serve and give back to the communities from which we thrive. Humanize Austin is an exceptional example of how we can leverage technology to increase our compassion for our less fortunate brothers and sisters. By lifting them up, we can all stand a little bit taller.
Entrepreneur & Non-Profit Philanthropist
I grew up on the Southside of San Antonio and currently live in South Austin with my husband and two wonderful boys. I have always been motivated to try to make the world a better place. I had the wonderful opportunity to be a 5th grade teacher for AISD at Houston Elementary in Dove Springs for 8 years. As an educator I saw first hand the positive impact that housing and food security has on children’s lives. I also witnessed that what is equally important is the growth and healing that come from community, positive relationships and understanding.
Master of Understanding the Psychology behind the Human Experience
I’m a Houston-born, Texas-native and I’ve been living in the Austin-area for the past 6 years. I’m a self-proclaimed ‘people person.’ I’m always curious about how we can better connect with each other in a way that can benefit everyone. I find a lot of joy in lifting up others and bringing more purpose and creativity into the work that I am a part of.
My professional and academic background continually emphasizes my love for research and design. While in graduate school at Texas State University for Psychological Research, I was inspired by work that I did as a Travis County court visitor and as a volunteer at Austin State Hospital. During that time, I focused on studying empathy and reducing burnout in those that engage in work that is highly emotional. Following this, I worked as a recruiter and a partner in UX research where I helped translate human behavior into future improvements on services and experiences that we interact with daily, especially those relating to accessibility.
I believe in the impact of humble inquiry and often find myself thinking about the moving parts that bring stories together. It comes as no surprise that like many on the Humanize Austin team, I am also a big believer in community – there is nothing that we cannot accomplish when we work together. For all of these reasons, I am thrilled to have the opportunity to make an impact in our community through Humanize Austin.
To learn more about my background and previous work, check out my website at https://www.shailbe.com/
