Shannon Richardson graduated magna cum laude from St. Lawrence University in 2007. She joined the alumni and parent programs office in 2001 as an administrative secretary coordinating staff travel, management of student workers, and the Brush Alumni House. Shannon joined the advancement services office in September 2007 as assistant director of development research, now entitled assistant director of advancement services & stewardship. She is a member of the St. Lawrence University Gospel Choir, and the Association for Professional Researchers for Advancement (APRA).

Shannon lives in Canton with her husband, Jamie, (SLU Information Technology) and sons, Noah, Chasse, Aidan, and Daniel.