Shakira Ferrell is a social entrepreneur and veteran strategist dedicated to expanding ecosystems of support and committed partnerships for impact-driven domestic and international organizations focused on veritable systems change. Her work centers on building responsive, agile organizational and fundraising infrastructure, and creating near and long-term strategic plans that help lead organizations from an early growth stage to maturity and sustainability.

Shakira serves as an advisory board member to Open Architecture Collaborative, a global network of local chapters inspiring ownership and civic engagement in traditionally marginalized communities and reimagining place-based solutions by facilitating participatory community design and delivering small build services in partnership with the local communities.

Shakira finds serenity in all things related to the outdoors. Whether she’s out hiking, camping, rock climbing, or practicing yoga in the park, she blends her deep reverence for nature with her unyielding commitment to justice and equity. Deeply rooted in her African American heritage, she passionately embraces and uplifts the historic ancestral connection her community has with the land that provided them with a sense of autonomy, economic independence, and cultural identity. Motivated by this understanding, Shakira is invested in supporting a growing movement to reclaim Black land, address environmental injustices, and promote sustainability and self-sufficiency.