Hi!

If you’re here, it means you want to get to know who Shannon McNally is outside of a one page resume. Thank you for taking the time to learn more, and allow me to introduce myself.

I am a Philadelphia-native and oldest daughter of five children. For as long as I can remember, I’ve been thrust into leadership positions. Whether it was “being in charge” while my mom ran to the store, or commanding my teammates on my CYO basketball teams how to run drills, I’ve been outspoken in whatever it is I pursued for as long as I can remember. Growing up, I learned how to motivate teammates to push harder, articulate complex ideas in class, and persuade my parents that we needed a family dog. These moments shaped how I communicate and lead today. My voice became my superpower — and learning how to harness it has been the most valuable skill I’ve developed.

That natural inclination toward communication and connection inspired my pursuit of marketing as an undergraduate degree at Indiana University. But, amidst the chaos of COVID-19, online classes without the option for in-person support, and an athletic schedule that required 5+ days of travel a week, I made the practical choice to pivot to a Political Science major that fit my circumstances at the time. Still, the thought lingered: It’s not the right time yet, but it will be. I knew I would return to marketing one day. That conviction led me to pursue my Master of Science in Marketing and Data Analytics, where I’ve finally been able to merge my creative instincts with analytical strategy — blending storytelling and data to understand people and move them to action. Political science and political psychology courses served as ways for my to understand common marketing strategies of why people choose one brand’s product tor service over another. Marketing was still my passion through those 4 years.

When I began my Master of Science in Marketing & Data Analytics at Saint Joseph’s University in August 2024, I’ll admit I was hesitant. I still carried some doubt about my ability to dive back into marketing coursework after pivoting away from it during undergrad. Around that same time, I was recruited to play for Saint Joseph’s Division I field hockey team — a team that would go on to make an unforgettable run all the way to the National Championship.

It was an incredible season, and truthfully, I hadn’t imagined we’d go that far. But that experience reshaped the way I viewed what’s possible when hard work, discipline, and belief intersect. Competing at that level didn’t just strengthen me as an athlete; it reignited my confidence as a student and as a person.

I started to see direct parallels between the field and the classroom. When I told myself, “If I can go to the National Championship, I can ace this assignment,” it wasn’t just a mantra. It became a mindset. The more effort I poured into my studies, the more I saw my results reflect that commitment. The connection between hard work and success became both rewarding and addictive.

Somewhere between early-morning practices and late-night analytics projects, I fell back in love with marketing. Not just as a field of study, but as a way to blend strategy, creativity, and purpose. That renewed passion has fueled my excitement for the future and the career I’m now building at the intersection of data, storytelling, and human connection.

I see my life as a reflection of how I’ve learned to use my voice to shape the world around me. As a goalkeeper, I directed our defense — organizing, communicating, and leading to keep the ball out of the circle and the goal. I’ve pitched myself as a recruit and closed the deal twice, proving that confidence and communication can open doors. Today, I channel that same energy as an assistant coach for Drexel University’s field hockey program, where I mentor athletes to find their own voice and lead with intention.

Now, as I approach the completion of my Master of Science in Marketing and Data Analytics at Saint Joseph’s University (graduating December 2025), I’m ready to bring that same discipline, strategy, and clarity to my professional career. To apply my academic discipline to communicate data insights, marketing strategies, media and advertising campaigns, and brand and influencer collaborations that give a voice to brands looking to set themselves a part from the crowd — just as I have.