Shawna McMillan’s path to leadership began in the most personal way possible: as an advocate for her younger sister. Diagnosed with a speech and language impairment, McMillan’s sister often relied on her to translate both words and intent — giving McMillan an early introduction to the importance of advocacy. That instinct to speak up and speak out would go on to shape her career and her calling.
McMillan is the founder of Navigating Advocacy for Meaningful Education (N.A.M.E., LLC), a nonprofit that evolved from a grassroots effort called Advocate Baltimore. The organization is grounded in a mission to ensure that every child — particularly Black and Brown students — receives the educational services and accommodations they are entitled to. From preparing families for IEP/504 meetings to demystifying their rights within the education system, McMillan has become a trusted guide in a complicated landscape.
“I started as a classroom teacher in Baltimore City Schools,” she recalls. “When I became a case manager, I saw firsthand how unsupported many families were, and how much worse it was for Black and Brown families. They didn’t even know what they didn’t know. The possibilities to advocate for families were endless.”
When she transitioned to the nonprofit sector, she began building systems of support that extended beyond school walls. Today, N.A.M.E. offers not just advocacy but also tutoring, hands-on guidance, and critical resources to help families empower their children at every level of their educational journey.
But advocating for others has also required McMillan to invest in her own growth as a leader — and that’s what led her to the Dr. Nancy Grasmick Leadership Institute’s Professional Leadership Program for Women & Allies.
“I knew I had a new step to take,” she says. “I could feel that I was meant for more, but I also knew I didn’t have all the tools yet. That’s why I joined this program.”
For McMillan, one of the most transformative lessons was learning how to show up authentically. “I’ve always struggled with worrying about being too much, or not enough. But this program taught me that I can be myself, no matter the room I walk into.”
She didn’t just learn theory — she put it into practice immediately. “Because of the program, I was ready to lead. I took what I learned about personal branding, communication, even what we experienced at [the team-building day camp] Genesee Valley and brought it straight back to my work. I applied it with my kids, my coworkers, even my family.”
And as a new mom, the lessons extended to her personal life as well. “Leadership doesn’t stop at the office,” she says. “Being a mother means leading at home, too. This program helped me listen more deeply, not just with my ears, but with empathy.”
What stood out most for her was the vulnerability the program encouraged right from day one. “They pushed us to open up in ways I hadn’t before, not even in my journal,” she says. “That kind of emotional reflection was unexpected in a leadership program, but it was exactly what I needed.”
For McMillan, the experience affirmed what she’s always known: that women often aren’t invited to have a seat at the table.
“We’re forced to make our own tables!” she shares with a laugh. “We’re forced to bring the wood, the nails, the glue, the gun, everything! And we have to build it without any instructions. But we don’t have to do it alone. This program gives you the blueprint.”
Now, she’s taking that confidence back to her organization, her community, and her mission. And she has this advice for other young women who feel like they’re waiting for their chance:
“If you feel like people aren’t letting you in the room, or you keep missing the opportunity, this program is for you. But don’t just show up, bring your whole self. That’s when the real transformation happens.”
