Mission Moment with Shauna O'Toole, CFRE, GPC
- MissionEB
- Mar 31
- 4 min read
Meet Shauna O'Toole, CFRE, GPC, a dedicated Grant Specialist at Assel Grant Services whose passion for mission-driven work is deeply rooted in her faith. With a career dedicated to securing funding for impactful nonprofits, Shauna thrives on organization, strategy, and a high-trust work environment.
In this Q&A, she shares insights into her daily work, leadership philosophy, and the defining moments that shaped her career.
Looking back, is there a defining moment or experience that solidified your passion for mission-driven work?
My calling to this work is driven by my faith. As a teenager, it became clear to me that my vocation would include service. God calls his followers to look after “widows and orphans”, in other words, those marginalized by society. Mission-driven work is how I use my gifts to make an impact on my fellow human beings.
What does a typical day look like for you, and how do you prioritize the many demands of your role?
I am fortunate to work from home, so after coffee, cat snuggles, and a few chores, I log in fairly early to start my work day as a consultant with a grant services firm. I like to knock out some administrative tasks and get a handle on my day. To prioritize the various projects I have going (usually upwards of ten), I use a project management software and, if needed, an Eisenhower Matrix scribbled on paper. I also keep my email notifications off, which has made a significant improvement in my focus time. I'm continually improving my prioritization skills. Next, I usually dive into a writing block or other focused work. Most days, I have a virtual call with clients or a team meeting, but I secretly love it when I don't. I take a one-hour offline lunch break where I eat a proper meal and walk for 30 minutes. Doing that consistently is still a work in progress. My afternoon usually mirrors my morning.
How do you balance your daily work? Do you have a favorite project or task?
My work is deadline driven, so I usually have a fairly defined list of non-negotiable tasks for the day. However, my work is also highly dependent on input from my clients and teammates. When waiting for feedback from others, I knock out a more flexible project without a deadline. I also volunteer on the board of the Grant Professionals Association St. Louis Regional Chapter, so I usually have a few tasks for that each week. My favorite project is a logic model. I truly enjoy digging into the impact of the nonprofits I serve and building a road-map backward from that impact, demonstrating the actions and resources it will take to achieve the desired results.
What leadership principles or practices guide you in your work, especially when working with teams or inspiring others?
I hold to a high-trust, high-communication philosophy of leadership. Strong teams come when we believe one another to be competent and reliable within a high-transparency environment. When all team members understand each other's roles and responsibilities and can see how the parts affect the whole, it fosters trust. For example, where I work now, our project management tool shows what everyone is working on and how busy they are on a given day. We have flexible schedules and use daily status updates in Teams to communicate our availability. Because of this, we know who on the team has capacity to help out in a pinch or when in the day someone might be available to answer an email. There is no culture of watching people’s red-dots or micromanaging when people are away from their desks: high transparency and high trust.
What challenges have you faced in your journey, and how did you overcome them to grow in your career?
Like all of us, COVID presented a substantial challenge for me. During an already challenging season, my supervisor and the head of our department, was diagnosed with cancer...which she has since beaten like a rockstar! The disruption to normal operations caused by these colliding factors opened up opportunities for me to take on additional leadership responsibilities. I began facilitating daily virtual checks-in with the team and taking on some of the day-to-day responsibilities of managing the team so my boss could focus on getting better. The adversity caused the team to pull together. We functioned cohesively and executed some original and successful campaigns, despite the challenges we faced.
What advice would you give to someone looking to make a difference in a mission-driven organization or the nonprofit world?
Do your best to make a difference in your sphere of influence but know that it's not your job to save the world. When times are especially trying, I cope by homing in on the things within my bubble - my coworkers, family, clients, and friends. I am responsible for doing my part with what I've been given, but not the outcome.
What’s a fun fact about Shauna O'Toole that most people don’t know?
I was a producer for my high school’s production of Cinderella. I didn’t have the dancing or acting chops to land a role (I have come to terms with this.), but I used my administrative skills to assist my teachers with ticketing, advertising, and organizing the cast.
What’s your favorite way to spend a weekend or unwind after a busy week?
I have a date night out with my husband every Friday night. I like the certainty of knowing that one decision is already made for the week and that no matter how busy life gets, that time is set aside to connect and reflect on the week.
From strategic grant writing to fostering strong team dynamics, Shauna O'Toole brings passion and precision to her work. Her commitment to making a difference—both professionally and personally—shines through in her leadership style, volunteer efforts, and approach to balancing work and life. Whether she’s crafting logic models or enjoying a Friday night date with her husband, Shauna embodies the spirit of mission-driven work. Thank you, Shauna, for sharing your story and inspiring others in the nonprofit sector!
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