Bio
Shawn Renee Lent moves this world as a social practice dance artist, program manager, writer, nonprofit arts consultant, educator, and facilitator, with experience ranging from a field in Bosnia to a children’s cancer hospital in revolutionary Egypt. Her work investigates embodied peace, diplomatic innovation, and the arts as a conduit for critical social intervention. A U.S. Fulbright Scholar (Cairo, 2012–2013) and the first person featured on 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 for 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 volunteers for World Refugee Day Chicago.
Shawn has over 30 years of experience in dance education and 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 award from the U.S. ambassador. Other roles include Arts Integration Program Specialist at Columbia College Chicago and writer for Createquity and The Clyde Fitch Report. A United Nations Alliance of Civilizations International Fellow, she was the 2014 Commencement Speaker for Millikin University and the 2025 Keynote Speaker for the Illinois DanceEducation Organization’s statewide conference.
33 years
Dance Education and Program Facilitation
25 years
Program Management and Administration
Certification
- Mental Health First Aid
- First Aid / CPR / AED
- Rhythm Works Integrative Dance – Certified Instructor
- Youth Protection Association for Dance (YPAD™ Certified Teacher including Student Safety, Healthy Bodies, Healthy Minds, and Artistic Integrity)
- Post Graduate Certificate in Youth Arts Development from Goldsmiths College, University of London (2002)
- Post Graduate Certificate in Youth Arts Development from Goldsmiths College, University of London (2002)
Public Speaking
- Illinois Dance Education Organization (ILDEO) State Conference, Keynote Speaker – Evanston, IL (2025)
- Brigham Young University, guest lecturer in dance diplomacy and social practice – Provo, UT (2018)
- Universal Exposition, “Celebrating Cultural Diplomacy and Intercultural Dialogue through the Arts” – Milan, Italy, (2015)
- The University of Maryland, “Hostilities, Reconciliation, and Interventions through Dance” – College Park, MD (2014)
- Millikin University: Commencement Speaker – Decatur, IL (2014)
Honors
- U.S. Fulbright Scholar – Cairo, Egypt (2012 – 2013)
- American Red Cross of Greater Chicago, Hero Award Nominee (2025)
- Featured as a case study in Peace by Peace: Risking Public Action, Creating Social Change by Lisa Ellen Silvestri (2024)
- Newcity Magazine’s “Players: The 50 People Who Really Perform for Chicago” (2019, 2022, and 2024)
- U.S. Department of State: Alumni Thematic International Exchange Seminar (Alumni TIES) Grantee (2019 – 2020)
- Syrian Community Network: Iftar Honoree, Recognized for service to refugee families – Chicago (2017)
- U.S. Embassy Cairo: Award issued by Ambassador R. Stephen Beecroft, recognized for innovation in using technology and engagement in promoting international exchange and the benefits of studying in the U.S. (2015)
- 2nd World Forum on Intercultural Dialogue, in partnership with UNESCO – Baku, Azerbaijan (2013)
- British Council’s Transatlantic Network 2020 – Belfast (2008), Chicago (2010), and Pristina, Kosovo (2012)
- International Conference on Cultural Rights – Paris (2011)