Shannon Bearden, AIA, RID, NCARB, LEED
Vice President | Associate Principal
Shannon brings over two decades of experience leading multidisciplinary teams on complex, high-impact projects. As Vice President and Associate Principal, she specializes in commercial, education, and master planning, with a strong focus on delivering innovative solutions for mixed-use developments and city-led growth initiatives. Shannon will continue to play a key role in shaping commercial and urban projects, while also collaborating with leadership and project teams to support large-scale clients in higher education, healthcare, and urban development. Her strategic vision and integrated approach make her a vital asset in driving transformative outcomes across sectors.
Q+A
What Core Value resonates with you the most?
Integrity—always. It’s the foundation of everything I do: how I lead teams, build trust with clients, and make decisions under pressure. It means doing the right thing, standing by your word, owning mistakes early, asking the hard questions, and consistently putting the best interests of the project and people first.
Where is your favorite place in the world?
The beach with the family. We have so many wonderful memories with grandparents, siblings and our own kids when vacationing at the beach. We love the cool mornings with the slightly humid ocean air, the sand beneath our feet, making sand castles, throwing the ball, eating good food, and enjoying time away to relax and reset.
What makes you laugh the most?
My kids—their laughter is pure joy. The innocence and delight they find in life’s smallest details and moments remind you to slow down and savor it all. Life really does come at you fast, and you don’t get to do this over.
Why did you choose this career?
I've spent many years leading teams, shaping communities, and managing complex projects. I'm now ready to apply that experience in a way that transcends conventional architectural boundaries.
This transition aligns with my growing interest in serving as a strategic advisor to owners and developers. I want to help them navigate growth, maximize site potential, and align project outcomes with long-term goals—something Dunaway has been doing and is well-positioned to continue with its depth in civil engineering, planning, and landscape architecture. This is less about leaving architecture behind and more about amplifying its value within a broader, more influential role.