Q&A with Shannan Clarke
Director of Development & DRM
Tell us the story of how you came to work at NYU Law. Were you always in your current position?
I came to NYU Law because I was drawn to the school’s reputation for excellence, impact, and community, and I wanted to be part of advancing that mission. My first love is the arts; I was a professional dancer earlier in my career, studying in New York at the Ailey School and Steps on Broadway. But through life’s twists and turns, I transferred my skills into a fundraising and alumni engagement career. Since joining the Development team, I’ve taken on a range of responsibilities, from direct marketing to reunion fundraising, leadership giving, and team management. My role has evolved as I’ve grown, but the throughline has always been building relationships and inspiring support for the Law School.
What’s a typical day for you like?
No two days are quite the same, which is one of the things I love most about this work. A day might include meeting with donors, collaborating with colleagues on strategy for a fundraising campaign, coaching members of my team, and drafting outreach to alumni. I recently had the honor of presenting my fundraising strategy to our Board of Trustees. I also get to engage with the school’s work on areas like the rule of law, democracy, housing equity, AI, environmental justice, women’s rights, and criminal justice reform, which makes every day feel connected to issues shaping our society.
I'm also a single mom of two. My daughter is eight and my son is five, so on most days I’ve lived out an entire day before 9 a.m. comes around.
What’s the most challenging thing about what you do? And what’s the most rewarding?
The most challenging part is that there’s never really a finish line—there are always more goals to reach, more alumni to engage, and more opportunities to explore. But that’s also what makes it rewarding. Seeing the tangible impact of philanthropy on students and faculty, and knowing that I helped connect alumni to causes they care about, is incredibly meaningful. On a personal level, I’ve always been an advocate for equity and civil rights, especially for women and mothers in the workplace. Being connected to NYU Law makes me feel like the work I do, even by extension, contributes to creating a more just and equitable society, which feels especially important at this moment in our shared history.
What is your favorite spot on campus, and why?
I love the Frank J. Guarini Courtyard outside of Vanderbilt Hall. It feels like the heart of the Law School, and every time I’m there I’m reminded of the people at the center of our work. Since I don’t get to spend much time on campus, I love getting the opportunity to witness the energy of the Law School present in the courtyard. Just a couple of weeks ago, I had a meeting with my supervisor on a bench in the courtyard, and among different groups of students studying and typing away on their laptops, I noticed John Sexton sitting and talking with a student. It was such a great snapshot of the community—perfect material for our next fundraising campaign!
This interview has been condensed and edited.