The Alliance for Early Success (the Alliance) announced today that Shannon Jones has joined the organization’s Board of Directors. In addition to her staff experience in the U.S. House and Senate, Jones has spent more than 20 years shaping state policy to better serve communities and families.
Jones was elected to the Ohio House of Representatives in 2006 and then to the State Senate, and she was elected Majority Whip by her caucus in both chambers. While in the statehouse, she led bipartisan efforts to improve maternal and infant health, championed fiscal responsibility, and spearheaded public policy solutions that put families and communities first.
Her leadership roles included serving as Vice Chair of the Senate Finance Committee, Chair of the Senate Medicaid, Health, and Human Services Committee, and Co-Chair of the Commission on Infant Mortality.
After leaving the legislature, Jones became President & CEO of Groundwork Ohio, an Alliance state grantee, where she transformed the organization into one of the nation’s most effective early childhood policy advocacy groups. Under her leadership, Groundwork Ohio became a powerhouse for early learning and child health policy, elevating Ohio’s advocacy efforts to national prominence. She built strong coalitions, expanded the organization’s reach, and helped drive policy changes that benefit Ohio’s youngest children and families.
Today, Jones serves as a policy and strategy advisor through her consultancy On Key Strategies, and has—since 2017—served as a County Commissioner for Warren County, Ohio.
“Shannon will be an extraordinary addition to our board,” said C. Lynn McNair, chair of the Alliance’s Board of Directors. “She knows state early childhood policy and advocacy inside-out, but what we are most excited about is her wisdom, thoughtfulness, and deep belief in building new bridges and big tents.”
The Alliance for Early Success is a 50-state early-childhood advocacy nonprofit that is working to ensure each and every state has a large, diverse, and bold advocacy community with the power to make the well-being of young children and their families—no matter their identities or where they live—is a top policy priority.