Camelback Ventures (CBV) a national accelerator focused on increasing access to opportunity for entrepreneurs of color and women by investing in their ventures and leadership while advocating for fairness in their funding, proudly announces the appointment of Shawna Young as its new Chief Executive Officer. 

With an impressive background in leading educational nonprofits, philanthropic foundations, and edtech startups, Young brings a wealth of experience that will propel the organization to new heights. Young looks forward to officially taking on this new role of Chief Executive Officer in early April of 2024. 

“I’m profoundly excited about joining Camelback Ventures as the next CEO and having the opportunity to continue Aaron Walker’s vision to the organization that is at the forefront of driving equitable entrepreneurship and fostering diverse founders.

I am personally inspired by Camelback’s commitment to identifying and empowering entrepreneurs from diverse backgrounds.  What excites me most about joining the Camelback community is the opportunity to catalyze meaningful change in the entrepreneurial landscape.

I am particularly eager to champion Camelback’s unique approach, which emphasizes holistic support, seed funding, mentorship, and community building.

These pillars not only empower women and entrepreneurs of color but also cultivate a vibrant ecosystem for their ideas and organizations to flourish,” said Shawna Young, incoming Camelback Ventures CEO.

Young has demonstrated exceptional dedication to advancing equity, diversity, and inclusion throughout her career, aligning perfectly with the organization’s mission and values.

As we navigate through the complexities of our time, Young will provide visionary leadership, guiding Camelback Ventures towards innovative solutions to systemic challenges. Young’s strategic insight, coupled with her passion for social justice, will empower the organization to effect meaningful change in the BIPOC communities it continues to serve.

Camelback Ventures remains steadfast in its commitment to dismantling barriers and fostering a more just and equitable society for all. With Young at the helm, the Board of Directors is confident Camelback Ventures will continue to push boundaries, advocate for marginalized voices, and drive tangible social impact.

“Shawna is a seasoned executive that brings years of experience in guiding mission-driven nonprofit teams toward creating enduring impact. From guiding promising high school students towards elite college education to equipping women with the skills and knowledge to pursue tech careers, Shawna’s leadership has consistently steered her organizations towards their goals.

Throughout the recruitment process, Shawna showcased her dedication to Camelback’s mission, strategic prowess, operational expertise, fundraising acumen, and emotional intelligence. I’m excited to see her apply these qualities to her new role as Camelback’s CEO.,” said Lloyd Johnson, Camelback Ventures Boardmember.

Young joins the Camelback team as a highly skilled Chief Executive who has held past roles at various prestigious institutions including Scratch Foundation, Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), Duke University, Broad Institute, Education Development Center, Durham Public Schools, Forward Impact Investments, LLC, and most recently at Ada Developers Academy as Interim CEO.

Young earned her Master’s of Business Administration from MIT, a Master’s in Science Education from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, and a Bachelor of Science in Chemistry from Howard University. She also earned a Certificate in Nonprofit Management and Leadership from Boston University. 

To learn more about Shawna’s background and achievements, please visit her LinkedIn profile and read her bio.