“How do we change the world? One random act of kindness at a time.” -Morgan Freeman
In her second consecutive year on the Board of Directors for the Junior League of New Orleans, Shannon Hickey Sarrat has assumed the Treasurer role. Her expertise in financial processes allows her to make recommendations to the Board on fiscal planning, accounting policies and sound governance and then assist in their implementation. By collaborating with others in the organization, Shannon is committed to ensuring all committees stay on budget and that monies are not wasted. This focus will ensure JLNO invests as much money as possible in the community.
Shannon’s Junior League positions include Chair on the Community Assistance Fund Grant committee, where she examined requests for funding from nonprofit agencies in Metropolitan New Orleans seeking to advance the wellbeing of women. Prior to that, she served as the Treasurer for several councils and on the Kitchen Tour fundraising committee. Since joining JLNO in 2008, Shannon has participated in all the financial aspects of a nonprofit organization, from earning financial support to analyzing and approving community impact, mission and operational expenditures. JLNO has provided her the opportunity to become a better leader through collaboration. By coming to respect and embrace the different ways in which everyone thinks and works, she has been able to grow as a person and appreciate others’ perspectives and talents.
What she enjoys most about her Junior League service is being able to give back to the community, learn about all the amazing programs our city has to offer, and set an altruistic example for her kids. For the past two years, she has brought her children to Diaper Bank’s MLK Day of Service so they could contribute their time and energy to help those less fortunate.
Shannon graduated with a marketing degree from Louisiana State University and an MBA from University of New Orleans. After a decade in various capacities at JPMorgan Chase Bank, Shannon currently works as the Vice President of Support Services for Cash Flow Resources, which provides funding, accounting and consulting to small businesses and entrepreneurs. Her work experience has provided her with a wealth of knowledge in business development and underwriting.
Outside of career and volunteer service, Shannon enjoys traveling, playing tennis and spending time with her family. She is not just a “city girl.” Growing up, she would spend a month each summer on her grandparent’s farm in Tennessee fishing, riding four-wheelers and planting. Her parents moved there in their retirement, so her children are able to enjoy the same experiences as she did growing up.
Residing in Lakeview, Shannon and her husband, Scott, a corporate banker at Regions Bank, are the parents to three children – Thomas (10), Claire (9) and Andrew (5). The person that inspires Shannon the most is her mother because she has always been able to keep a positive attitude and remember the truly important things through all her challenges in life.
