Shannan is the Initiatives, Education & Engagement Officer for Dairy Council of California.
Shannan’s passion for building healthier, more equitable nutritious food systems began on her family’s farm in Northern California and has guided more than 25 years of leadership in nutrition, education, and public health. She believes everyone deserves access to nourishing foods—and the knowledge and skills to support lifelong health.
As Officer of Initiatives, Education, and Engagement, Shannan leads cross-sector collaborations that unite educators, health professionals, policymakers, agriculture, and community partners to drive meaningful systems change. Her career spans nonprofit, public, and private sectors, including executive leadership at the Dairy Council of California, where she oversees evidence-based nutrition education and initiatives highlighting dairy’s essential role in supporting growth, health, and overall well-being, particularly for children and families. Her work emphasizes equity, sustainability, and culturally relevant eating patterns.
Shannan is known for designing and guiding large-scale initiatives through partnership and shared vision. She is a founding leader of the Smarter Lunchrooms Movement of California and the California Local School Wellness Policy Collaborative, engaging hundreds of schools and organizations in creating healthier food environments.
A mother of three, Shannan brings both professional expertise and lived experience to her work.
She holds an MS in Nutrition Science, a BS in Community Nutrition, and is a Registered Dietitian Nutritionist, Certified Association Executive, and School Nutrition Specialist.
Shannan can be reached at syoung@dairycouncilofca.org.
Partnering with local, private and public entities to implement no-cost and low-cost strategies into school cafeterias can significantly increase participation in school meal programs, improve consumption of nutritious foods and reduce food waste.