Who Is Shawn Pearson?

As a social impact entrepreneur, Mrs. Shawn Pearson’s innovative work has resulted in long-lasting, legacy building community impact. Mrs. Pearson was named the Minority Business Enterprise of the Year by The Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, and “Woman with Vision” by the National Association of Women Business Owners in 2022. She also received the Horace Steele Child Advocacy award, and was named as one of the top 100 CEOs in Phoenix by TITAN 100 in 2022 and 2023.  

As Co-Founder and CEO of Zion Institute, Mrs. Pearson operates a campus in South Phoenix called THE WELL @ Zion Institute which offers transformational resources to community including childcare, preschool, social enterprise development, integrated health services, family preservation services, emergency resources and more. But her work didn’t begin here. Ms. Pearson’s community organizing and mobilization in Arizona began in South Phoenix in 2006. In her role as advocate, Mrs. Pearson has served on various government-led committees to foster transformation for her community. She works to leverage a space for the voice of residents in community and economic development, public safety, education and revitalization of our historically Black and Brown neighborhoods of Arizona.  

In 2012, Mrs. Pearson spearheaded the launch of the South Mountain Re-entry Coalition to answer a call-to action to reduce recidivism and improve public safety. The coalition subsequently launched the South Mountain Re-Entry Resource Center, a resource network that included housing placement assistance, employment, education, transportation, basic needs, life skills training, support groups, child support and family reunification education and other resources for formerly incarcerated residents of South Phoenix.  

By 2014, Mrs. Pearson’s work expanded into direct service programming that included housing and behavioral health services. This work quickly evolved to include community resource rescues in the field of early childhood education and human services. By 2020, Mrs. Pearson made the commitment to develop a campus for collaborative partners to serve South Phoenix residents. In 2021, the campus called The Well @ Zion Institute, was launched as the headquarters for Zion Institute’s integrated health center, and childcare preschool and a multitude of other services.  

Mrs. Pearson's professional background includes three decades of nonprofit business experience, public speaking and community service. Mrs. Pearson has engaged, advised and trained more than 200 churches, agencies, businesses and government partners across the United States, including Arizona, Indiana, California, Texas, Georgia, and Florida. She received her formal education in Business Administration at the University of Phoenix. In addition to her community work, Shawn is a wife, mother of 6, grandmother of 14. She is a transformational speaker, teacher and published author. Shawn Pearson is known in the field of consulting as “the Solutionist”.