Shawn M. Upchurch is President of Pi Lambda Phi’s Educational Foundation and Vice Chairman of the Elimination of Prejudice Founding Directors. He has been Chapter Advisor, revitalized OH Beta Tau (OBT), established OBT’s Alumni Association, and served as Vice President of Pi Lambda Phi’s International Executive Council. Shawn joined the OBT Chapter at Baldwin Wallace University in 1991 and served as New Member Class President, Recruitment Chair, and Risk Management Officer. Shawn was awarded the 219th Council Key in 2013.
As Founder and CEO of UpSearch, Shawn supports purpose-driven leaders and organizations worldwide. His passion is to embolden leaders to achieve greatness, however they define it. A practicing scholar of emotional intelligence and intentional change theory, Shawn has the unique ability to interpret, simplify, and solve complex issues that unlocks potential often trapped at the intersection of purpose and people. He has advised hundreds of board members, business owners, executives, and aspiring future leaders. Shawn helps leaders achieve lasting change for themselves, their teams, and their organizations by managing intentional change.
Shawn is a life-long student of leadership, emotional intelligence, and equality. He holds a M.B.A (Systems Management) and B.A. (Economics) from Baldwin Wallace University and earned an Emotional and Social Competency Inventory (ESCI) accreditation from Case Western Reserve University’s Weatherhead School of Management. Shawn’s interests include the role of transformational leadership in board governance, civic stewardship, nonprofit leadership, and community building. A father of two premature children, Shawn has broad interests in helping preemies thrive and believes every life has equal value.