Bio

Shawn Renee Lent moves the world as a social practice dance artist, program manager, writer, nonprofit leader, educator, and facilitator—with experience spanning a field in Bosnia to a children’s cancer hospital in revolutionary Egypt. Her work explores embodied peace, diplomatic innovation, and the arts as a conduit for critical social change.

A seasoned nonprofit leader with 25+ years across the arts, education, health, immigration, and social service sectors, Shawn has cultivated a strong Chicago network over the past 15+ years. She is experienced in program administration, grantmaking, event production, communications, best practices in accessibility, and multicultural community engagement, and is skilled in multiple communications platforms and project management tools. Recognized for innovation and critical thinking in complex and high-pressure contexts, she is known for building trust across lines of difference and leading with precision, care, critical thought, humor, thoroughness, and expediency.

A U.S. Fulbright Scholar to Cairo (2012–2013) and the first person profiled in Seriously Badass Women, Shawn has been nominated for a 2019 3Arts Award in teaching artistry and a 2018 Paul Robeson Award from Actors’ Equity Foundation. She served for nine years as Programs and Communications Director at Chicago Dancemakers Forum, leading initiatives to support and amplify local dance artists. She also founded and leads Dance Peace, a program for refugee youth, and actively volunteers with World Refugee Day Chicago.

With more than 30 years of experience in dance education, Shawn currently teaches at Music House, LBP School of Dance, and the Ralla Klepak Performing Arts Program, while guest choreographing for The Edge Performing Arts. She previously served as EducationUSA Egypt Advising Coordinator at AMIDEAST Cairo, earning a rare commendation from the U.S. Ambassador. Other roles include Arts Integration Program Specialist at Columbia College Chicago and contributing writer for Createquity and The Clyde Fitch Report.

A United Nations Alliance of Civilizations International Fellow, Shawn was the 2014 Commencement Speaker for Millikin University and the 2025 Keynote Speaker for the Illinois Dance Education Organization’s statewide conference.