Shannon M. Mora

A native of Spokane, WA, Shannon attended the University of Washington in Seattle and received her Bachelor of Arts degree in Business Administration; double concentrating in Finance and Marketing.  Always present was her exposure to Special Olympics as she cheered her sister, Whittney, and her teammates on at local, regional and state games.

Throughout college, she worked for the specialty retailer Nordstrom and continued with the company after graduation.  She relocated to San Diego and was promoted to Assistant Manager, Manager, Buyer, and then Lead Buyer for the San Diego region.  With Nordstrom's philosophy of decentralization, the experience of managing and buying for her own department was invaluable.

Upon marrying her college sweetheart, Jim, she made the move to New Orleans and became very involved with Special Olympics, CASA, Leukemia Society, the New Orleans Saints Women's Association and various shelters throughout the greater New Orleans area. She focused on volunteering her time and effort toward fundraising for these organizations.  She served on the CASA Board of Directors for two years, and was president of the Saints Wives Charities, Inc., a nonprofit organization whose focus was helping women and children, and chaired the Special Olympics Award Banquet for several years, turning it into one of their strongest fundraisers. 

From New Orleans, the Moras moved to Los Gatos, California, with their two young children. Shannon was busy with donating time to the school, church and especially, raising the brood of now, four children.

Upon moving to Atlanta, Shannon immersed herself in the city's philanthropic community. Shannon and Jim served as the Co-Grand Marshals for the 2004 and 2006 Special Olympics Summer Games. Shannon was President of the Atlanta Falcons Women's Association which focuses on giving back in the Atlanta community through a variety of ways---Can Drives, Toy Drives, special events and fundraisers, and working with the primary beneficiaries of the organizations. She and a few ladies worked with the Children's Healthcare of Atlanta Children's Hospital system in creating and developing the Holiday Shops designed to allow young patients the opportunity to enjoy the holidays by being able to shop for their loved ones without leaving the hospital. Shannon also helped develop the Falcon’s Football 101, a fun-filled day aimed at educating women about the sport of football with in classroom and on field drills (a favorite among participants). As the event was always in October- breast cancer awareness month, all proceeds supported national and local breast cancer awareness organizations.  Shannon also served on the Special Olympics of Georgia Board of Directors and the Eagle Ranch Board of Advisors.

While in Atlanta in 2005, Shannon and Jim founded the Jim Mora Count On Me Family Foundation as an avenue to give back to the community and focus on our most precious resource, our children. The Foundation began, and still is, a grass roots effort whose mission to help children in need and at risk is achieved by raising funds then granting the money to worthy children’s charities and organizations. Count On Me is powered by a huge team of fabulous volunteers and is supported by generous sponsors, donors and supporters.

Returning to the Pacific Northwest, Jim and Shannon expanded the Foundation’s outreach. Shannon continued her philanthropic work with the Boys & Girls Clubs of Bellevue and Special Olympics Washington, and explored many other children’s charities and organizations as well. She and Jim served as the Co-Grand Marshals for the 2009 Special Olympics Washington Summer Games. She also served as President of the Seattle Seahawks Women’s Association and helped guide the organization’s community outreaches, including Toys for Tots program, the Holiday Toy Drive, the annual Food Drive and Football 101, an event that gave women instruction on the game of football while raising funds for breast cancer research and support.  

Shannon currently serves on the Special Olympics Washington Board of Directors.  With four active children, she volunteers her time for many school projects, fundraisers and events.  As Vice President of the Count on Me Family Foundation, she oversees the Foundation’s activities, orchestrates the Foundation’s annual fundraisers and thoroughly enjoys closely working with each partner, sponsor and donor.