Shawn M. Donnelley, A'91, was named to Crain's Chicago Business Magazine's "Top 40 Under 40," an annual listing of men and women who've made it to the top of their fields before celebrating their 40th birthday. Donnelley is the founder of Strategic Giving, LLC and a member of Loyola University New Orleans' Board of Trustees as well as the founder of the Shawn M. Donnelley Center for Nonprofit Communication, a center based at Loyola University that offers New Orleans non-profits advertising and promotional services.

Donnelley is the youngest chair ever of Chicago's Goodman Theatre and was named one of the 100 "Women Making A Difference In Chicago" by Today's Chicago Woman magazine in 1997. In 2000, Oprah Winfrey's Angel Network honored Donnelley for her community involvement, and Alpha Chi Omega Woman's Fraternity recognized her as an Outstanding Young Alumna.