Sonya Shields

Sonya Shields is the new Executive Director and President of Cause Effective. She is the 4th Executive Director and the first person of color to lead the organization in its 40-year history. Sonya is a long-time nonprofit executive with deep experience in development, marketing, and communications, along with program and organizational development. She has served as the Director of Development for the National LGBTQ Task Force, NYC Anti-Violence Project, Astraea Foundation and Keep a Child Alive. She held the position of Chief Officer for External Relations at Brooklyn Community Services and Chief Operating Officer at Getting Out Staying Out. Sonya is a sought-after speaker, coach, and trainer in areas of fundraising, communications, and strategies to center DEI within organizations at all levels. She has conducted talks and trainings for Columbia University Business School, Nonprofit Quarterly, Fairfield County Community Foundation, Association of Fundraising Professionals Fundraising Day New York Conference, the Association of Black Foundation Executives and many more. Sonya is on the Board of Directors of the Association for Fundraising Professionals-New York and the American LGBTQ Museum.