SHANNON LIVINGSTON

Director of Development

Shannon Livingston is the Director of Development and Promotion for Sunlight Home of Collier County. Her experience in business, non-profits, media, and life helps her serve Sunlight Home’s mission of breaking the cycle of poverty and abuse for pregnant teens and women.  

Shannon is a media personality in SWFL and uses her platform to help the maternity housing program at Sunlight Home. Originally from Kansas City, Missouri, she and her son Joe have lived in Naples since 2007. She has owned and operated several businesses and now sells real estate, donating a portion of her commission to Sunlight Home. She has served multiple boards for non- profits such as Starability, United Cerebral Palsy, Special Olympics and Make-A-Wish.  

She has been a radio host on 98.9FM, video host for NABOR and WCR, podcast and livestream show cohost for 239 Uncensored, and she emcees live events.

In 1992, at the age of 19, Shannon placed her newborn daughter for the first (legal) open adoption in Missouri, and has since been passionate about improving options for all mothers that choose to give birth and treating birth mothers with the respect and dignity denied them by the stigmas of society.  

Katherine Connell

Executive Director

In 2022, Katherine Connell arrived at Sunlight Home with the intention to volunteer 12 hours per week along with her other activities as an aspiring Naples Snowbird; but God had much greater plans for Kati and her involvement within the organization – plans beyond her wildest dreams. Kati’s 12-hour volunteer venture quickly evolved into a full-time commitment as she took on the role of executive director of Sunlight Home.

As the executive director, Kati brings a remarkable abundance of knowledge for policy establishment, startup management and internal business operations. She implements these focal points at Sunlight Home to help strengthen the establishment from the inside out to create a vigorous foundation for its residents, staff and volunteers while simultaneously expanding community outreach. She’s inspired daily by witnessing the fruits of her labor through the accomplishments of each of the residents and the growth and success of the organization.

Kati aspires to apply her experience of owning and selling an award-winning catering and wedding planning company; party rental company; provisioning company as well as her experience as a chef and pastry chef to both her short- term and long-term goals for Sunlight Home. This requires always keeping the Sunlight Home up to FACCCA standards. Creating policies and procedures to ensure smooth transitions, growth and improving the residence and employees experience through the ministry of Sunlight Home are all a part of this mission.

Having lived on a tiny little island in the Caribbean for 23 years, Kati has learned to be a self-starter. She is resilient, entrepreneurial, and a compassionate leader who discovered her passion for women’s ministry through her church plant on St. John Virgin Island. Whether it’s through her vast volunteer experience as an Al-anon sponsor for the past 16 years and a Stephens Minister for the past eight years, or through her career, the Michigan native is encouraged by the grace of God; her husband, Glenn; and her mentor, Carolyn Bott; to continue sharing her innate talents and abilities through her role at the Sunlight Home.

When this University of Wisconsin-Madison alumna is not at work, you can find her side-by-side with her Belgian Tervuren pup and husband, basking anywhere on the water – ocean, lake or pool – you name it! Whether she’s sailing, diving, or reading, Kati always prefers to enjoy her time surrounded by the pure beauty of nature with the sun beating down on her face and the wind breezing through her hair – a true aficionado of living life to its fullest.