Don't adjust the goal, adjust the timeline.
Shannen Stewart
About Me
Women Empowerment is my love language
Topics include: Beyond the Business Card, How to networking while not losing interest and Collaboration vs Competition.
Shannen Stewart is the Founder of Heels & Handshakes, an organization that fosters community through in-person events and digital experiences for entrepreneurs and hospitality and event professionals. Through membership, this community of professionals gets access to industry leaders, mentorship and business collaboration opportunities.
Shannen created Heels & Handshakes in 2013 after returning to her hometown of Nashville and missing the community of women within the hospitality industry. She noticed the lack of opportunities to network. Shannen wanted to ensure that the women who made up the Greater Nashville hospitality workforce would all have positive and collaborative interactions to enrich their lives professionally and personally. What started as a ten-person meeting for cocktails and conversations has evolved to over 3,000 women and men in the Middle Tennessee community.
Since founding the organization, she has curated over 120 events for the Heels & Handshakes members. Shannen's event brand partnerships and collaborations include Kendra Scott, City Winery, Virgin Hotel Nashville, Tiff's Treats, Dew and the Nashville Young Leaders Council to execute thoughtful activations for the Heels & Handshakes community.
Shannen has over 12 years of experience within the hospitality industry, working for clients like Bridgestone and the Nashville Predators. Her work in hospitality has received accolades and awards, including the 2021 Nashville Lifestyles Women in Business Recipient, The 2019 Nashville Area Chamber of Commerce NELA Awards Hospitality & Tourism Recipient, the 2019 Meeting Professionals International Tennessee Chapter Supplier of the Year and the 100 Leading Persons in Personal Services, Food and Hospitality in 2018. Shannen volunteers for Nashville-based organizations Thistle Farms and the YWCA in her spare time while serving on the TEDxNashville Committee.
Conferences + Breakouts
Previous Speaking Engagements
Auburn University
U.S. Patent and Trademark Office
Women in Banking Conference
Tennessee Social of CPAS
Belmont's Career Accelerator
Belmont's Next Level Women Leadership Conference
Nashville Junior League Rise! Summit
Play Like A Girl Women's Leadership Summit
Rutherford Cable Meeting
Women In Music Meeting
Bellevue Chamber Women of the Vue Meeting
Awards & Recognition
Shannen Stewart receives 2019 NELA Award
Shannen Stewart receives the 2021 Nashville Lifestyles Women in Business Award
Nashville Business Journal Women of Influence 2023
Shannen received Nashville Business Journal Women of Influence Award.
Eventex Awards 2024
Eventex Awards 2024
Eventex Awards is the global benchmark for excellence in events and experiential marketing, with 1,200+ entries from over 60 countries every year. Shannen Stewart received this recognition in 2024.
Modern Luxury 2025
Eventex Awards 2024
Modern Luxury 2025
Shannen Stewart receives 2025 Modern Luxury Dynamic Women Award.
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