Shawn Mooring

Head of Philadelphia Programs

Shawn Mooring is The Lenfest Institute for Journalism’s Head of Philadelphia Programs. Shawn leads the Institute’s grantmaking, programs, and initiatives to support journalists and news organizations striving to build sustainable and equitable models of local news that meet the needs of Philadelphia’s communities. 

Shawn spearheaded the development and launch of ecosystem efforts such as the Local News Business Sustainability Initiative and the Philadelphia Media Founder’s Exchange that provide critical resources to Philadelphia journalists, media organizations, and the local news and information ecosystem as a whole. 

Having been at this a while, Shawn has both led and supported numerous initiatives focused on social innovation as a funder and practitioner. Shawn has held previous positions in philanthropy at The Philadelphia Foundation, the Ford Foundation, and The Twenty-First Century Foundation and at national evaluation and technical assistance firms such as Public/Private Ventures; Equal Measure, and Frontline Solutions, Inc. 

In 2022 Shawn was selected by Columbia Journalism School as a Sulzberger Executive Leadership Fellow. He has also earned a BA in Political Science from Hampton University, and a MPA from the University of Delaware. Shawn is a native Philadelphian and despite currently residing in Drexel Hill, PA, he still bleeds Kelly Green. GO BIRDS!