Shannon Rusk
As Executive Vice President of Senior Housing Development, Shannon is responsible for developing and maintaining client relationships with an emphasis on strategic real estate planning. She serves as the lead developer of Oppidan’s Senior Housing portfolio, including The Pillars Senior Living communities throughout Minnesota and multiple developments in California. To date, Shannon has led the development of 13 senior living communities totaling more than 2,000 units.
Prior to joining Oppidan in 2005, Shannon built extensive real estate experience through roles in the corporate real estate division of Cushman & Wakefield LaSalle Partners in Chicago, Illinois, and at Trammell Crow Company in St. Louis, Missouri. In these roles, she represented major corporations through complex relocations across the country. Earlier in her career, Shannon worked as an engineer for IBM Corporation.
Shannon founded Oppidan’s Women Lead Empowerment series and is a frequent speaker at industry events, including the Minnesota Real Estate Journal Housing Summit, MNCrew Senior Housing panels, and MNCrew Women in Business panels. She is actively involved in advocacy efforts in Washington, D.C. through ASHA PAC, which works to advance government support for senior housing residents and caregivers. Shannon is also deeply committed to Alzheimer’s awareness and fundraising and personally supports the Alzheimer’s Association.
Shannon serves as Secretary of the Campfire Minnesota Board and created Senior Camp Days at Tanadoona, an initiative that provides residents of Oppidan’s senior housing communities with opportunities to experience the outdoors. Her prior board service includes Children’s Cancer Research Fund, Teach for America, and Junior League. In 2020, Shannon was named a Women in Business Honoree by the Minneapolis St. Paul Business Journal and recognized on the Twin Cities Business Notable Women in Commercial Real Estate list.
Shannon holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Minnesota and is a member of ASHA, NIC, MNCAR, and ULI.
In her free time, Shannon stays active through running, biking, yoga, and golf, and enjoys spending time with her family.
