Shannon Dos Santos was born and raised in Bristol, Rhode Island and at the age of 10, relocated to Pennsylvania where she graduated from Harry S. Truman High School and later earned her Certification in Accounting. After returning to Rhode Island, Shannon married her husband, Dennis, in April 2001. Together, they are the proud parents of seven children – three biological daughters and four adopted children. Over the years, they have welcomed several kinship foster placements into their home and recently adopted their grandson.

In 2022, Shannon stepped away from her position as a Paraprofessional with the East Providence School Department to care for her foster son, who faced significant medical challenges. Since then, she has devoted her career to supporting foster, adoptive, guardianship, and kinship families through her work with The Village for RI Foster and Adoptive Families. Beginning as a Project Coordinator and later serving as Project Director, she has partnered closely with the RI Department of Children, Youth & Families and the Office of Healthy Aging. Her work has included coordinating support groups and family events, conducting outreach to kinship caregivers over age 55, and using her own lived experience to guide and support others navigating child welfare.

She serves on the leadership teams of both the Foster Family Advisory Council and the Child Wellbeing Advisory Council. As the first Executive Director of The Village, Shannon is committed to strengthening families, elevating caregiver voices, and improving the lives of children across Rhode Island.