Lance Avery Morgan
Austinite and all-around colorfully chic resident Shonnery Pettit might just be the first person anyone should meet if they are new to Austin to get involved in giving back to its many worthy organizations. Then, you’ll want to know her for a lifetime. Her focus is to dedicate her time, talents, and skills to help Texan families live in safe homes. Actively looking for opportunities to inspire others, she supports many philanthropies, as the board president of the Center For Child Protection and aiding its Guardian Angel Society of boosters. Here, her longtime pal, our Lance Avery Morgan, checks in with the dynamo to learn more about her very active life.
The best career advice I’ve received is…
SHONNERY PETTIT: A leader is only as good as the team they build. You want a team that has a voice in the room, a relentless work ethic, and a personal commitment to achieving your mission. People will tell you what they need to make things better…listen with gratitude, as they were brave enough to share and be solution-oriented as opposed to problem-focused. My team at the Center for Child Protection is the best combination of staff, board, and committee members, as well as donors and volunteers.
Three qualities that got me where I am today are…
SHONNERY PETTIT:
- Continuously chasing my nervous butterflies: If I think an endeavor is admirable, I’ll pursue it, even if it scares me. I run towards every growth opportunity and if I’m not sure of my existing skill set, I am confident in my work ethic and ability to quickly learn new things.
- Relentless appreciation: I actively look for ways to express gratitude and celebrate accomplishments, both big and small. I even appreciate the negative commentary because that allows you to make things better.
- What gets measured gets accomplished: It’s important to have measurable and focused goals that your entire team feels part of achieving. Key performance indicators, aligned with strategic plans have allowed the Center for Child Protection to achieve record-breaking goals that ultimately serve our children in the most impactful way.
Easiest career decision I ever made is…
SHONNERY PETTIT: Accepting the role as President of the Board of Directors at the Center for Child Protection. This journey started when I joined the Friends of Christopher Guild, before I became a Guardian Angel. This eventually led to me participating as a celebrity dancer in our Dancing with the Stars Austin fundraiser event. I was then asked to speak at events, serve on committees, become a Board member, and finally, step into the role of Board President.
Each uptick in responsibility has come with a sense of pride and sparked an ultimate purpose in my life. I believe in the mission of this organization and the impact it makes on our community every day.
Due to my ongoing involvement with the Center for Child Protection in Austin, I have found that…
SHONNERY PETTIT: People care. The number of incredibly selfless people in Austin, Texas is overwhelming. I am so proud of our city and the people in it who truly want to make a difference in the lives of children who will never know their names but need them to care.
As a Guardian Angel Society committee member, which benefits the Center for Child Protection, I’m certain that…
SHONNERY PETTIT: The Guardian Angels are the Center’s deep divers. These are the people who care about hearing where their donations are being used and are interested in understanding the needs of the organization.
They are an incredible group of people I am certain have changed the lives of thousands of children who have been impacted by abuse and neglect in Travis County. Their generosity has made a generational impact that will continue to change our community in a positive way for years to come.
Celebrating the 20th Anniversary of the Guardian Angel Society means we can…
SHONNERY PETTIT: Honor the phenomenal generosity of our Guardian Angel donors. Thanks to more than 1,200 pledges since the inception of the Guardian Angel Society in 2004, the Center for Child Protection has raised $3.6 million in funds. This ensures the children we work with can continue to receive the services they need to recover from the devastating impacts of abuse.
We began the Guardian Angel Society with just 20 founding ‘Guardian Angels’, and now boast 393 active families. This is an incredible testament not only to the compassionate people who live in this beautiful part of the world but also to the compelling nature of our mission. You can learn more about the Guardian Angel Society here: https://centerforchildprotection.org/guardian-angel-society/
How I made my first dollar…
SHONNERY PETTIT: I was a lifeguard at my small hometown’s community swimming pool.
First music I bought was…
SHONNERY PETTIT: Fleetwood Mac.
Last thing I binge/marathon watched…
SHONNERY PETTIT: Downton Abbey.
Book that left a lasting impression on me…
SHONNERY PETTIT: Outliers by Malcom Gladwell.
On that note, my favorite fiction character is…
SHONNERY PETTIT: Rene Russo in The Thomas Crown Affair. She was smart, I loved her outfits, and the movie was unpredictable
My real-life hero has got to be…
SHONNERY PETTIT: My mom. She taught me to see with God’s eyes and act upon what I see. She showed me that kindness is the ultimate achievement of a life well lived and that every person we meet can be a blessing to our lives.
If I lived in a foreign city it would be…
SHONNERY PETTIT: Cabo San Lucas. I grew up in Far West Texas, on a ranch, praying for rain. I’ve always wanted to live by the ocean and see the accumulation of all my prayers.
What everyone should try in their lifetime is…
SHONNERY PETTIT: Riding a bicycle down a volcano in Hawaii. It was a phenomenal experience that created cherished lifetime memories.
If I could compete in an Olympic sport, or create one, it would be…
SHONNERY PETTIT: I’d create a roller-skating dance competition. I love seeing the people who do it on Instagram. I’d also compete, and I’ve got some good moves I want to show off.
If I weren’t doing what I do I would (be a)…
SHONNERY PETTIT: Be a Country Music singer or a talk show host.
A celebrity I would prank phone call and what I would ask them is…
SHONNERY PETTIT: Dolly Parton. I would call her and say: “Hi, Ms Parton, we’re launching a new holiday in Austin called Dolly Day. How would you like us to celebrate it?”
My hidden talent that most people might not guess is…
SHONNERY PETTIT: Facial Recognition. I never forget a face (I might forget a name, but never a face!)
If I had a superpower, I’d want it to be…
SHONNERY PETTIT: The power of duplication. I always wish I could go to all the fun things. If I could duplicate it, I could get a lot of work done and have a lot of fun too.
A simple way to get people to laugh is easy. Just…
SHONNERY PETTIT: Take someone to a Sebastian Maniscalco comedy show!
A phrase I might overuse would be…
SHONNERY PETTIT: Up. For some reason, I use that word as an exclamation to everything.
My motto? Easy. It is…
SHONNERY PETTIT: Find the things that make your toes curl and do them as often as you can.
Favorite scent these days is (because)…
SHONNERY PETTIT: Oooo, I love Le Labo Santal 33. It’s clean and fresh and people always comment about it when I wear it. Makes me smile just thinking about it.
My style icon is…
SHONNERY PETTIT: Oh, I have many women I admire. I love fashion and I love seeing clothes on all body types. Some of my favorites are: Zendaya, Margot Robbie, Viola Davis, Sienna Miller, Sophia Loren, Brigitte Bardot, Elle McPhearson, Elizabeth Taylor, J Lo, Jessica Chastain, and Charlize Theron.
My personal style signifier is…
SHONNERY PETTIT: I never met a hat I didn’t like. I also think accessories make an outfit. I went to a ‘modeling school’ in Far West Texas when I was in high school. They taught us that to make yourself look interesting, you should always use layers and accessories, and you should try to have three colors in your overall look. Those rules never left me.
The classic designer I wish was still designing today would be…
SHONNERY PETTIT: Coco Chanel will always be the most timeless designer of all time for me.
The last meal that truly impressed me was…
SHONNERY PETTIT: I must praise Austin for our incredible food scene. Some of my favorite meals in Austin are: the classic breakfast plate at The Well is amazingly fresh and consistently delicious, I love Uchi for great sushi, Eddie V’s for a great steak, and Swift’s Attic for great tapas.
In my fridge, you will always find…
SHONNERY PETTIT: Hero’s bread with deli ham, cottage cheese, and blueberries, and my husband’s homemade protein ice cream.
My perfect day would end…
SHONNERY PETTIT: Sitting by the beach with good friends and good music having great conversations with a glass of good tequila.
On my tombstone, it might say…
SHONNERY PETTIT: She Loved Freely, Tried Hard To Make Her World A Kind Place, And Cherished All The People God Placed In Her Life.
