Founder and CEO

Shirley Swanson was born in West Michigan to two first-generation United States citizens. Named after her grandmother, this daughter of a fisherman and an elementary school teacher saw firsthand the challenges of the working poor in a system that wasn’t made for them. After receiving her Master of Sciences from Cornell University in Community Development and her PhD in Systemic Economic Development from Stanford University, Shirley returned to the Midwest on a mission to eliminate the barriers she faced. Shirley began the Shirley Louise Foundation in 2013 in honor of her late grandmother. She resides in Indianapolis with her husband Jae and their three children: Janiyah, Jamarr, and Samiyah.

Managing Director and Development Strategist

Connor Kilpatrick has dedicated his life to the service of the communities around him. Originally from Cleveland, Ohio, Connor completed PA school at Case Western Reserve before pivoting to nonprofit work. Connor attended the University of Iowa and received his PhD in Organizational Development, successfully defending his thesis on eliminating barriers to higher education for students of color. Connor is responsible for managing the Shirley Krause Foundation Scholarship Fund and has been instrumental in awarding significant scholarships to 41 applicants since its origin. Connor splits his time between his hometown of Cleveland and Indianapolis, developing partnership interests in both areas and exploring every bike trail he can find with his wife Keia and their Australian Shepherd, Coconut.

Community Service Coordinator

Kimberly Yang is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker from Baymont Hills, California. Kimberly served as a mental health clinician with Marian County Community Health for 8 years before pivoting to her long-term career goal of macro-level social service work. Kimberly is a current doctoral candidate at Baylor University and lives in Indianapolis with her partner Alan and their two dogs, Sazon and Kimchi.