Meet Shavonne Herrington: Director of Partnerships
Born and raised in Boston, Shavonne is deeply committed to building connections and strengthening communities. With a passion for collaboration, she thrives on creating meaningful partnerships that bring people and organizations together to make a positive impact. Shavonne’s work reflects her dedication to fostering relationships that support Union Capital's mission and its members.
Shavonne has deep roots in Boston, having lived in Hartford for just one year before realizing that Boston is where she truly belongs. “Boston is where my heart is, and I’ve stayed here ever since,” she shared. She now lives in Mattapan with her two daughters, ages 19 and 12. “With two girls, someone is always in the bathroom! If I could have one wish, it’d be for a maid service once a week or three bathrooms - one for each of us!”
A proud Dunkin’ fan, Shavonne is almost always spotted with her favorite coffee. “I’m an Uber girl—it only takes 25 to 30 minutes to get to work, but I have to stop at Dunkin’. My go-to is a medium iced pumpkin spice coffee with all the extras.”
Beyond her love of coffee and her outgoing personality, Shavonne is passionate about advocacy. “I’m a strong parent advocate. I’m always at my daughters’ schools, speaking up for what they need.” This drive extends to her professional life as Union Capital’s Director of Partnerships. “I believe in making a difference, especially when it comes to voting. People need to know their voices matter—whether it’s for the president or local ballot questions that directly impact our lives.”
Shavonne’s inspiring journey to her current role started out in student loans. She worked with organizations supporting both domestic and international students. Despite facing challenges, including a speech impediment that made public speaking difficult, Shavonne embraced every opportunity to grow.
“I’ve learned to ask questions and not be afraid to speak up, even in rooms where I once felt out of place. It’s how I’ve been able to make an impact.”
Shavonne's journey to Union Capital Boston was unexpected but transformative. Initially introduced to UC through KIPP Academy, she was encouraged to join by former Network Coordinator Shalena and other parents. Despite feeling disconnected during a challenging period in her life, she remained a member for a year without engaging in the events.
Eventually, during a particularly low time, she decided to take action—not just for herself, but for her children.
“I needed to get us out of the house, to do something productive,” she explained. This decision led her to attend a KIPP network night, where she reconnected with people she hadn’t seen since childhood, creating a sense of community and belonging that she hadn’t realized was missing. From that point, she became more active, adding her own events to the UCB app
During one of these events, she met Eric, UCB’s Founder and CEO. Their conversations about her community involvement and volunteer efforts opened the door for deeper engagement. Later on, she transitioned into a more active role, becoming a network coordinator and helping the organization grow its reach. During the pandemic, she stepped up to help run events when a partner’s executive director fell ill, showcasing her leadership. Recognizing her commitment, Eric encouraged her to apply for a more significant role within UC.
Although initially hesitant, she embraced the opportunity, becoming the Director of Partnerships - a position she has held for three years. Reflecting on her journey, she admits the role has been a continuous learning experience, filled with challenges and growth.
As Director of Partnerships, she focuses on cultivating and maintaining relationships with UC’s 26 partners, ensuring their needs are met and identifying ways to collaborate effectively. Her responsibilities include organizing partner nights, recruiting new partners, and providing support to network coordinators. She places great emphasis on showing appreciation, whether by hosting thoughtful closeout dinners for coordinators or planning engaging activities for UC’s members during events.
Recognizing the financial challenges many grassroots organizations face, she is also exploring ways to create more accessible partnership tiers, allowing smaller organizations to participate in UC’s programs without financial strain. “It’s about finding creative solutions to make these partnerships work,” she explained. Her dedication to fostering connections and ensuring the success of UCB’s mission continues to inspire her work.
“This role has taught me the value of transparency, adaptability, and always striving to improve.”
Despite the challenges, her passion for community-building remains at the heart of everything she does.
Bringing Communities Together
One of the most dynamic aspects of UC’s community engagement strategy is its tabling presence at local events. Whether it’s a back-to-school event, a block party, or large-scale gatherings like Open Street JP—where two miles of streets are transformed into hubs of activity—UC is there. At these events, she not only engages with attendees but also makes it a point to visit other vendors and organizations, building new connections and strengthening existing ones. “I go to every single partner table, introduce myself, laugh, talk, and exchange information,” she says.
Making an Impact Through Partnerships
The partnerships UCB builds often have life-changing effects. For some members, the most impactful connections come from hospitals like Dana-Farber Cancer Institute or Massachusetts General Hospital. She recounts a powerful story from a recent collaboration with Dana-Farber: at a network night focused on lung cancer awareness, over 100 attendees signed up for screenings. One participant was diagnosed with early-stage cancer, which was caught in time for successful treatment.
“That moment gave me goosebumps. Knowing that someone’s life was saved because they came to one of our nights—it’s incredible.”
Other partnerships, such as those with StepRox Recovery Center or the Greater Boston Interfaith Organization (GBIO), are equally transformative, addressing issues like addiction recovery and housing advocacy. Each partnership brings unique benefits, depending on the needs and circumstances of UC’s diverse member base.
How can one become a UC’s partner?
The process of becoming a UC partner begins with a meeting. Potential partners share their mission and work, while UC explains its model and explores ways to collaborate. “If you’re distributing food for cats and dogs, we might help you find volunteers,” she explains, highlighting how partnerships are tailored to meet the unique needs of each organization.
Partnerships come in different tiers:
Outreach Partnerships: UC shares events, recruits volunteers, and promotes turnout. These partnerships start at $5,000.
Membership Partnerships: These include a dedicated network coordinator who connects members to UC. This tier starts at $7,500.
One-Time Collaborations: For organizations that need assistance with specific events or workshops. These partnerships typically cost $2,500, with discounts for multiple workshops.
Regardless of the type of partnership, the focus remains on creating value for both the organization and UC members.
Union Capital continues to make a lasting impact through dedication and collaboration, connecting members with opportunities that can change lives. As Shavonne Herrington emphasizes, “Every connection we make has the potential to change a life.” With her leadership, UC is set for even greater growth, shaping a future built on resilience, community, and meaningful connections.