Shannon Nash, a distinguished figure in finance and corporate governance, currently holds the position of Chief Financial Officer at Wing, a drone delivery company affiliated with Alphabet Inc. Married with three sons, Shannon’s professional journey is adorned with numerous accomplishments and recognitions. Beyond her role as a finance leader, she is a passionate advocate for board diversity, actively participating in initiatives such as Black Women on Boards, How Women Lead, and mentoring in the Black Corporate Board Readiness Program at Santa Clara University. Shannon Nash’s commitment to fostering diversity and inclusion shines through her professional endeavors and community engagement.

Shannon’s extensive list of accolades includes being named one of the 100 most influential women in Silicon Valley by the Silicon Valley Business Journal in 2023. She was also recognized on the 2023 Top 50 Women in Accounting list by Ignition. Her achievements extend to the finance realm, where she received the Global Speaker Award from Women in Technology and was chosen as one of the Top 50 Women Leaders in Finance by Women We Admire.

Additionally, Shannon’s contributions to the accounting field were acknowledged when she was named one of Accounting Today’s 2020 Top 100 Most Influential People in Accounting. She was also honored as one of 2020’s Most Powerful Women in Accounting by the AICPA and CPA Practice Advisor. Her trailblazing efforts earned her CalCPA’s 2021 Trailblazer Award.

Shannon holds a diverse skill set, as she is an attorney, Certified Public Accountant (CPA), and a Qualified Financial Expert. Her educational background includes a bachelor’s degree in accounting from the University of Virginia McIntire School of Commerce and a JD from the University of Virginia School of Law. She continues to contribute to her alma mater as a board advisor for the University of Virginia McIntire School of Commerce.

Pioneering Drone Delivery for a Sustainable and Efficient Future

Wing is a company that specializes in building small, lightweight aircraft for drone delivery services. The company operates a delivery system that can transport small packages directly to homes in a matter of minutes. Founded in 2012, the company has conducted a significant number of commercial drone deliveries and test flights in the United States, Australia, and Europe.

The company believes that drone delivery can help cities reduce road congestion, lower emissions, and create economic opportunities for businesses. Wing has completed over 350,000 commercial drone deliveries and has seen significant growth in the industry. While it took two years to complete its first 100,000 deliveries, it accomplished the next 100,000 in just six months. In Australia, the company has achieved up to 1,000 deliveries a day.

Wing aims to become the preferred mode of delivery for small packages worldwide. The company has received positive responses from communities where it operates, with nearly 90% approval for drone delivery in some areas.

One of Wing’s major milestones is its partnership with Walmart to roll out drone delivery at two Dallas-area Supercenters. Its drones can reach customers within a 6-mile radius of each store, serving more than 60,000 homes. Customers can use the Wing app to order various items, including meals, groceries, household essentials, and medicines.

Drone delivery offers several advantages, including speed, convenience, safety, cost-effectiveness, and sustainability compared to traditional delivery methods. Wing is actively working on creating a regulatory environment that supports the growth of drone delivery services. The company has designed its drones with redundant systems and controls, and its operations are monitored by trained pilots. It sees a future where high-volume drone delivery services can be established in cities worldwide.

Pursuing Her Passion for Numbers

Shannon developed a passion for finance and numbers during her time at the University of Virginia. She received valuable training and mentorship from professors at her alma mater. Following law school, she embarked on a career focused on corporate, transactional, and tax matters. She gained experience at some of the most reputable law firms in the country.

However, Shannon eventually realized that her true calling was to work more closely with businesses. This realization led her to make a career shift back to finance, as she believed it would be a more effective path to achieving her career goals.

Shaping Strategy and Integrating Financial Considerations Across Departments

As the CFO of Wing, Shannon’s responsibilities extend beyond traditional financial management. While she does oversee financial reporting and manage financial risks, her role is more strategic in nature. She plays a crucial part in shaping and executing the company’s overall strategy. While other departments, such as sales and marketing, are responsible for revenue generation, and operations teams handle cost management, Shannon’s role is to ensure that financial considerations are integrated across all functions. Her primary responsibility is to collaborate with different departments to align financial strategies and maintain the financial well-being of the organization.

“It’s important to recognize that the finance organization plays a critical role in supporting the company’s overall success. By collaborating with other departments and focusing on cost management and growth opportunities, finance professionals can drive long-term value and strategic success,” says Shannon.

Fostering a Culture of Inclusivity and Innovation

Wing recognizes the importance of diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) within the organization, and it has made it a priority at both the team and leadership levels. The company is committed to fostering an environment where all voices are heard and valued. This approach helps to mitigate groupthink and promotes the formation of teams with diverse perspectives, ultimately leading to better outcomes.

Investing in diversity not only supports a more inclusive workplace but also enhances talent acquisition. Research has shown a correlation between diversity in team and leadership roles and increased shareholder value. Overall, prioritizing DEI initiatives contributes to the financial health and success of the business.

Commitment to Professional Development and Mentorship

Shannon places a strong emphasis on professional development, recognizing its significance in fostering high-performing individuals and building a robust organization. She has benefited from the guidance of numerous mentors throughout her career and is committed to paying it forward by supporting her team members’ growth.

Shannon encourages her team members to proactively seek new opportunities for their professional development. She leads by example, openly sharing her own experiences in professional development and often recommends investing time and sometimes personal resources in activities like night classes, networking events, or professional retreats that can help them make valuable connections and advance their careers.

Moreover, Shannon acknowledges the importance of being a role model for women pursuing similar career paths. She strives to demonstrate that women can achieve remarkable feats as colleagues and leaders, setting an example for others to follow.

Perspective on Finance Agility and the Importance of Technical Skills

Shannon recognizes the common perception that finance organizations can be perceived as bureaucratic and slow-moving. However, she emphasizes that while finance professionals must uphold diligence and thoroughness in their work, they should also possess the agility to respond promptly to market shifts or internal changes within the company.

In Shannon’s view, continuously improving and expanding technical skills is essential, particularly in an era where artificial intelligence (AI) is becoming increasingly prominent. She encourages her team members to take a proactive approach to mastering technical platforms and software, considering it a skillset that is here to stay. By becoming experts in these areas, they can position themselves as invaluable assets to the company, contributing to its growth and adaptability.

Future Initiatives and Partnerships

In the coming years, Wing has ambitious plans to carry out millions of drone deliveries through its innovative delivery network technology. While pursuing this vision, the company is currently focused on several key initiatives:

• Delivery Partnership with Walmart: Wing is excited about its partnership with Walmart in Dallas, Texas. Collaborating with a company that shares a deep understanding of scaled delivery operations is a significant step forward.
• Medical Drone Delivery Partnership with Apian: Wing is actively working on a medical drone delivery partnership with Apian, a UK-based healthcare logistics company. Apian specializes in transporting critical medical items, such as chemotherapy drugs, blood samples, prescriptions, and medical equipment, between healthcare facilities. This partnership aims to revolutionize healthcare logistics.
• Existing Partnerships: Wing also continues to nurture and expand its existing partnerships.

Shannon anticipates that the future will present more opportunities for agile businesses to drive innovation. Despite the evolving macro environment, Wing remains committed to its long-term strategic vision. The company’s adaptability and forward-thinking approach position it for success in the years ahead.

Please Visit: https://wing.com/