Shava Lawson

Shava is the Director of Fiscal Sponsorship at Seattle Parks Foundation, where she leads partnerships with grassroots and community-led groups to advance vibrant, inclusive, and equitable public spaces. With over 25 years of experience in nonprofit and small business finance, she brings deep financial expertise with a focus on capacity building, strategic collaboration, and organizational development.

For the past 13 years, Shava has specialized in fiscal sponsorship, working to dismantle systemic barriers and create accessible pathways for communities — particularly those historically excluded from public planning processes—to realize their visions for parks and open spaces. Her work is grounded in equity, relationship-building, and a commitment to redistributing power in support of community stewardship and long-term impact.