Shannon Singleton

Shannon Singleton grew up in the Philadelphia area watching her mother open their home to people in need. Seeing her mom struggle to make ends meet, but still provide safety and shelter to her neighbors inspired Shannon to pursue a career of helping others.

After years of serving survivors of domestic and sexual violence, youth in foster care, and people experiencing homelessness, she moved to Portland in 2007. She began her work in homeless services in Portland supporting women at the Salvation Army Female Emergency Shelter (SAFES) in downtown Portland at the same time achieving a Master’s degree from Portland State University. She then worked at the Portland Housing Bureau, and later led JOIN, where she directed a dedicated team who helped thousands of people move off the streets and directly back into housing.

In 2019 Shannon joined Governor Kate Brown’s administration as her housing policy advisor. Gov. Brown later appointed Shannon Director of Equity and Racial Justice where she led Oregon’s Racial Justice Council, the first of its kind nationwide. There Shannon worked directly with Oregon’s state agencies to center BIPOC communities in the budget and policy development to improve their programs so that every Oregonian had equitable access to state services.

Before being elected as Multnomah County Commissioner for District 2, Shannon worked on federal transportation infrastructure projects as Director of Community Engagement and Advocacy at Espousal Strategies, working to ensure that communities have equitable access to these investments and that Oregonians get good-paying jobs. She lives in St. Johns with her husband Titus and their dog Jim.