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The Inspiring Journey of Shannon Steel: Visionary Entrepreneur and Humanitarian

Shannon Steel is a visionary entrepreneur and humanitarian, excelling in finance, hospitality, and global philanthropy while inspiring change and uplifting communities

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Ambition, grit, and eventual transformation are just but a few core elements that make Shannon Steel's life story truly powerful. Gritty Detroit, Michigan, was the place where she was born and was nurtured; although, in her early years, it was evident that the fire inside her was driven by an urgent vision to change the life course of Shannon and many others.

Born and raised in Detroit, Shannon excelled as a student at Martin Luther King High School; her talents ranged from academic to athletic fields. Her skills on the basketball court eventually earned her a scholarship to the University of Houston. Shannon went into college with motivation, studying Economics while balancing athletics. But her excellence in academics came along with consistent appearances on the Dean's List, making the stakes grow high for what was to come later.

Her desire to learn and succeed did not end upon graduation with honors. She went further to attend Harvard Business School Online, where she earned a certificate in Finance. That was the beginning of a brilliant career in the world of finance. Shannon's educational background thus provided a very strong foundation for her future, equipping her with the means to work her way through a very competitive environment.

Shannon began her professional sojourn at AXA Advisors, where she had created an impact almost from day one. At the tender age of 23 years, she was the youngest stockbroker in this firm—a vital feat telling of her great talent and tenacity in work execution. When in AXA, Shannon had achieved incredible milestones. The strategic sense by Shannon helped her increase portfolios of retired clients between 15-20%, a factor indicative of her role delivery through tangible results. She managed and invested the major accounts of 401k, pension, buyout funds, among other large-scale portfolios from big companies like General Motors, further cementing her reputation as a financial wizard.

Success at AXA Advisors was just the beginning. Shannon's expertise and dedication soon led her to the world of private banking. It was within this arena that she held executive and board positions with offshore banks in managing portfolios and protecting client assets. Her role as the mandate for BPC, Angola's government-owned commercial bank, marked her international influence. Shannon's work in Angola obtained many millions for government projects state-wide through Africa and further proved her ability to manage multimillion-dollar financial transactions with professionalism and accuracy.

The entrepreneurial spirit moved Shannon to pursue other fields and eventually led her into the hospitality sector. A major milestone in her career was when she purchased the Embassy Suites by Hilton and converted it into a Wyndham hotel. Her completion of the $3,000,000 renovation and receipt of the 2019 Wyndham Hotel and Resorts Developer of the Year award underlined Shannon's achievement in the hospitality merit list—skimmed through ability for innovation and excellence in diverse fields. Her portfolio also includes variegated commercial and residential properties, a reflection of her perspicacity as an investor.

Apart from professional success, Shannon Steel is deeply invested in philanthropy and social impact. She has invested, as the founder of Steel Private Bank and an offshore hedge fund, in projects concerning the upliftment of impoverished communities. This is further evident by her role as Ambassador for the Central African Republic toward greater global humanitarian efforts. Shannon's activities include building hospitals and schools, addressing poverty, and improving the living conditions of people at large.

From Detroit to the top tier in finances, hospitality, and now philanthropy, Shannon Steel's journey is one toward which vision, determination, and commitment to making a difference converge in very significant ways. Her story can also inspire the fact that with all endurance and a clear sense of direction, anyone can achieve major success and ensure change in the world. The shining example of ambition and hard work transforming Shannon's life is her legacy.

Author
Lucy Evans | Contributer