A community-centric servant leader with a flair for data-driven storytelling, Shonali Burke serves as chief, Marketing & Strategic Communications for the League of Women Voters of the United States, where she leads national brand, marketing, strategic communications and advancement to strengthen nonpartisan democracy and voter participation. Her commitment to mission-driven work has served organizations as diverse as the ASPCA, which she steered through the 2007 pet food recall and Michael Vick case; Oxfam America; and USA for UNHCR, for whom she designed its now-textbook digital “Blue Key” campaign.

Prior to joining the League, Shonali was managing director of Malvern, PA-based People’s Light, becoming the first Indian American to lead a US-based LORT theater in this role. She previously served as chief marketing & strategy officer/vice president at Washington, DC’s iconic Arena Stage, helping architect its dramatic post-pandemic earned revenue rebound. 

The first Indian American named to PRWeek’s “Top 40 Under 40” list of US-based PR professionals, Shonali was inducted into the National Capital Public Relations Hall of Fame in 2025 for excellence and service to the field. An alum of the Harvard Business Analytics Program and India’s National School of Drama, she serves as adjunct faculty with The Johns Hopkins University’s MA in Communication, volunteers on the Host Committee for the Smithsonian Craft Show Preview Night, and is a first responder with the Maryland Responds Medical Reserves Corps. A foodie who loves to travel and is ABBA’s #1 fan, Shonali is owned by Pickles the Corgi, who pays her rent in lickies and snuggles.