Shannon Ensley

Shannon Ensley is the director of development for the Southern Poverty Law Center. She manages the major, midlevel and planned giving programs.

Ensley joined the SPLC in 2001 and has served its development department in several key roles. She has managed various fundraising teams, led the creation of development programs and personally managed hundreds of donor relationships.

She began her career at a foundation that established community health care programs in central Alabama. The programs focused on HIV/AIDS treatment, access to medical care and school nurse supplies. Earlier, she served as associate director of development for the Alabama Shakespeare Festival.

Ensley has varied volunteer experience. She has served as board president of Medical Advocacy and Outreach and the president of the Association of Fundraising Professionals Central Alabama Chapter.

She received her bachelor’s degree in speech communications/public relations from Auburn University at Montgomery.