Sonya Shields

Sonya Shields is the Chief Advancement and External Relations Officer at Greater Mental Health of New York. Sonya is a long-time nonprofit executive, strategic growth partner, and thought leader with more than 30 years of experience in the nonprofit sector.  She intersects fundraising, communications, marketing, and organizational development to help nonprofit expand their visibility, revenue and impact.  Sonya has raised millions of dollars throughout her career and served in executive and senior leadership roles at Cause Effective, Getting Out Staying Out, Children of Promise, NYC, Brooklyn Community Services, the National LGBTQ Task Force, Astraea Foundation, the New York City Anti-Violence Project, and Keep a Child Alive.

She is sought-after speaker and trainer who has presented for Columbia Business School, Nonprofit Quarterly, Robin Hood Foundation, Association of Fundraising Professionals, Women in Development, Nonprofit Westchester, Better Business Bureau and many other institutions.  She is a passionate social justice advocate and experienced nonprofit board leader, who co-founded the National Black Justice Collective and currently serves on the board of the American LGBTQ+ Museum.  Sonya is a graduate of Howard University.