Alumni SPOTLIGHT
Shannon Brown ‘92 Shannon Brown’s journey from a package handler at FedEx to a global executive is a testament to his perseverance, adaptability, and commitment to lifelong learning. He notes that his rise to Senior Vice President of Human Resources and Chief Diversity Officer was shaped in part by the education he received at NLU. Shannon first encountered NLU while working in Atlanta, where the University had a satellite campus. Drawn to the Applied Behavioral Sciences program, he was able to apply prior credits and professional experience to complete his degree. He credits NLU with providing foun- dational knowledge in human behav- ior, leadership, and organizational dynamics — skills that proved instrumental as he transitioned from operations into HR and executive leadership. SHANNON BROWN CREDITS NLU WITH SHAPING THE LEADERSHIP THAT POWERED HIS RISE FROM FEDEX TO THE C-SUITE. At FedEx, Shannon played a pivotal role in pioneering the company’s diversity initiatives, launching programs in the early ’90s that became industry benchmarks. His ability to merge operational expertise with HR strategy distinguished him as a leader and led to global oversight of human resources. He became FedEx’s first, and only, Chief Diversity Officer, serving in that role alongside his executive responsibilities in operations. Today, Shannon serves as CEO of ActionLogics, a transformative software startup focused on streamlining hiring, employee engagement, and workforce development. Personally recruited by the company’s founder, he came out of retirement to lead the organization, bringing his HR and technical expertise from his FedEx tenure. ActionLogics ensures applicants aren’t “ghosted” by potential employers and supports structured career growth for employees. Shannon embodies the values of curiosity, adaptability, and excellence — principles rooted in his time at NLU and his ongoing pursuit of growth. His advice to aspiring professionals: “Take what’s in front of you, give it your best, and be open to the opportunities that follow.”
Terri Edelman ‘75
Terri Edelman, a proud graduate of the National College of Education (NCE), has built a remarkable career by blending her passion for teaching with leadership in the real estate industry. Her journey began with a prestigious high school summer program at NCE
focused on critical thinking skills — an experience that prepared her for college and left a lasting impact on her ability to analyze, adapt, and lead. After earning her degree in elementary education, Terri began teaching in parochial
FROM CLASSROOM TO COO, TERRI EDELMAN CREDITS NCE FOR THE SKILLS THAT SHAPED HER SUCCESS.
schools. Facing financial constraints, she took a second job in property leasing. Her strong communication and organizational skills, honed through teaching, helped her stand out in real estate. She eventually transitioned into property management full-time, launching a successful career in corporate housing. Terri’s career progression was extraordinary. She rose from leasing agent to Chief Operating Officer at a company that grew from 1,200 to 55,000 residential units. She credits her leadership success to skills developed as a teacher — patience, organization, and the ability to nurture growth in others. Mentorship remained central to her work, and she took pride in helping others advance. Beyond her career, Terri gives back by serving on the board of trustees for her homeowners’ association and staying engaged with the NLU alumni community. She values the lifelong friendships she built at NCE and encourages students to embrace new opportunities, advising, “Don’t be afraid to try something new — every experience adds value.”
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