​Experience

Shadae brings 15 years of global health experience to Cornerstone for Women Leaders, having worked across five continents to improve the health and wellbeing of women and children worldwide. Before founding Cornerstone, she led pediatric care studies in Kenya and contributed to publications at the University of Washington. While working at the START Center, she consulted on global health projects for the Gates Foundation focused on reproductive health, health systems strengthening, vaccine delivery, and improving access to maternal and child healthcare. Her leadership and expertise reflect her dedication to advancing global health and empowering women.

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Shadae held her senior-most leadership position as President of the Washington County Commission for Women, having previously served as Vice President and Commissioner. In this role, she represented over 76,000 women across nine municipalities in Washington County, Maryland. During her tenure, she guided the commission through the unprecedented challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic. Under her leadership, the commission launched and coordinated multiple community-based initiatives in partnership with local nonprofits dedicated to supporting women and girls. In collaboration with fellow commissioners, she played a pivotal role in leading the commission through its milestone 35th anniversary, which resulted in a series of public-facing events, a comprehensive marketing campaign to elevate awareness of the commission’s impact, and strategic community engagement efforts. Additionally, she spearheaded the launch of the first-ever TEDx event in Western Maryland, a groundbreaking initiative that continues to thrive and inspire thought leadership in the region.

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Shadae has served on several nonprofit boards, including as a Founding Board Member of The Brighter Horizon, which provides financial literacy to women in recovery and survivors of domestic violence. She was also a member of the Maryland Maternal Health Task Force, chaired by the Maryland Department of Health, which unites key stakeholders to address the needs of pregnant and postpartum women in the state. 

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Education

Shadae holds dual master’s degrees from the University of Washington, a Master of Public Health with a specialization in Global Women, Adolescent, and Child Health (Global WACh) and a Master of Public Administration focused on International Development Policy and Management. She was recognized with multiple fellowships and awards for her academic excellence and commitment to global health and social justice at the University of Washington, including the UW Graduate School Distinguished Thesis Award (Finalist), the Oscar Gish Social Justice & Equity Award, the Thomas Francis Jr. Global Health Fellowship, and the Grayston-Day Endowed Fellowship.​ She also earned a Bachelor of Arts from the University of Maryland, College Park.

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Service

Shadae's dedication to service includes volunteering with the Peace Corps in Fiji, South Pacific and supporting maternal and child health initiatives through the March of Dimes and Mary’s Center in the DC/MD/VA area. She has also tutored resettled refugees with the International Rescue Committee and contributed to housing projects with Habitat for Humanity’s Women Build.