ICAN’s New CEO
ICAN: Positive Programs for Youth is pleased to announce its new CEO of the organization, Shelby Pedersen.
Shelby is a native of Colorado, where she earned her bachelor’s in marketing and international leadership at Johnson & Wales University and Sejong University in Seoul, South Korea. In 2006, she moved to Chandler, completing her master’s degree in Public Administration at Arizona State University.
Shelby is a familiar face to ICAN. Since 2008, Shelby has been privileged to work with a variety of community leaders, individual donors, corporate entities and foundations to secure funding for ICAN’s critical programs. ICAN’s programs are designed to equip vulnerable youth with the skills they need to break the cycle of poverty. In addition to leading ICAN’s philanthropic efforts, she has also substantially grown the organization’s marketing, special event, volunteer and community relations activities. During her tenure, ICAN completed a $5.65 million capital campaign and expanded philanthropic giving two-fold. Her most recent role was Interim Executive Director.
Prior to joining ICAN, Shelby worked in the marketing department of the Colorado Women’s Chamber of Commerce and assisted with community relations and youth developmental outreach at Project C.U.R.E, while she completed her two-year AmeriCorps UCAN Serve term.
Personally, Shelby is also active in community-building activities with several other organizations across the Valley, including: The Downtown Chandler Community Partnership, where she serves as Chair of their Board; Valley Leadership Class 37; Suns Charities 88; Project C.U.R.E. and the Association of Fundraising Professionals.
When asked what she wants her legacy to be, she responds by sharing that she hopes to leave her community in a better position than when she found it. In the words of John F. Kennedy, “one person can make a difference, and everyone should try.”
