Shawna Burr - Director of Operations

Shawna came to Paragon in 1996 with experience in both residential and day programs. Prior to that, she worked as a fitness coach creating individual and group fitness programs as part of a comprehensive rehabilitation program for people who had suffered a stroke or heart attack. Shawna holds a Bachelor's degree in Sociology with a minor in Psychology from the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point. She has an extensive and comprehensive record of creating, designing and operating successful programs for people with developmental disabilities, brain injuries and mental illnesses. Shawna's creative flair and the genuine compassion she feels for the people she supports and their guardians is evident in the programs that she has created and continues to run.

"I have always found the work I do very rewarding because I think that people should be allowed to experience a quality life in the community – A life that is filled with the fun and excitement that people without disabilities take for granted. The people we support should have a voice in what they do. They should lead a life filled with fun and not be constrained by what society believes they should do. I believe that programs must remain flexible and respond to the needs of those we support. Every program we run has a distinct personality that is created by the people there and the community they live in. I’m proud of the fact that we support people regardless of their physical or intellectual challenges. When we meet someone new, we don’t accept that they can’t be served. We owe it to the people we support to exhaust every possibility to find the best way to assist them to lead a fulfilling life in their community. We consider what others see to be impossible simply as a degree of difficulty."

Shawna enjoys sailing with her husband and playing with her chickens.