Hughes receives “20 Under 40” Leadership Recognition
Shannon Hughes, Director of Education and Programming at Metroparks Toledo, received a 2022 20 Under 40 Leadership Recognition Award on Oct. 25 at the 27th annual 20 Under 40 awards ceremony.
Hughes, who resides in Oregon, was among the 20 selected from a field of 168 candidates.
In her role, Hughes is responsible for a staff of 50 and interpretive programming for more than 100,000 annual visitors to the Metroparks. In her first year as director, she took the department from “needs improvement” to one of the highest performing programming departments in the country. She has managed or implemented 13 award winning programs.
Personally, she has received the Metropark’s Heart of the Park, Above and Beyond and Director’s awards. Hughes developed the Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Program Specialist position to prioritize outreach to underserved populations.
The consummate volunteer, she provides leadership, talent in grant writing, strategic planning and organizational development for Graham’s Foundation and Heartbeat of Toledo.
Through Varsity Tutors, she tutors children in history and language arts. She is a theater and coaching volunteer at Cardinal Stritch Catholic Academy and coaches softball for the Oregon Recreation Department.
Hughes earned a Bachelor of Arts from Hiram College and a Master’s in Public Administration and a Doctorate in Leadership and Policy Studies in Human Development from Bowling Green State University. She is a Certified Interpretive Trainer through the National Association of Interpretation and is a Certified National Geographic Educator.