Background

Shaina joined Development Counsellors International in 2006 and holds a Bachelor of Arts in history and a minor in biology from Stony Brook University. Prior to DCI, Shaina led an expansive marketing campaign to revitalize public perception of Stony Brook University’s school administration and student government.

Shaina's Passion for Places

Shaina's greatest passion is gaining an "insider's" perspective within communities throughout the world. She does this not by simply visiting countries, but rather by spending time engulfed in the language, cultural nuances and customs of her host country, allowing her to develop a deep understanding of the traditions and modes of communication that make every city unique. For the months she lived in European cities, including Rome, Italy and Aix-en-Provence, France, Shaina enjoyed the cross-cultural exchanges that ensued, such as sharing Shabbat with her host family, or learning about Italian opinions of American life as part of a documentary film for her study abroad experience.

Shaina’s travels and studies have allowed her to test her proficiency in several languages, including Spanish, Persian, Russian, French, Italian, Hebrew and Latin.

Notable Results

•  Shaina encouraged a reporter for The New York Times to visit Vermont in order to explore the state's alternative energy industry. As a result of the journalist's subsequent trip to the state, the paper ran a half-page feature showcasing Vermont as a national leader in green technology. The piece also positioned the region as the center for innovative environmental technology, much like Silicon Valley's image for information technology.

• Highlighting Sacramento’s environmental technology efforts, Shaina arranged interviews for Sacramento spokespeople with journalists from publications such as The Wall Street Journal, Newsweek International, The New York Times, SmartMoney, Reuters, The San Francisco Chronicle, Science Magazine, Fast Company and Bloomberg News. 

•  In an effort to promote Chattanooga’s entrepreneurial environment, Shaina introduced key spokespeople and their messages to journalists from publications such as The Financial Times, TIME Magazine, Popular Science, Fortune Small Business, Metropolis Magazine, Inc., The Christian Science Monitor and Forbes.