Shanelle Smith Whigham is the Senior Vice President and National Community Engagement Director at KeyBank.
RTA Experience
- Appointed to serve on the Board of Trustees by City of Cleveland Mayor Justin M. Bibb.
- Sworn in November 13, 2025.
Career Experience
- Over 20 years of experience in building cross-sector collaborations to tackle environmental injustices through neighborhood and community development.
- Leads efforts to engage communities from Alaska to Maine and manages a team dedicated to meeting KeyBank’s $40 billion Community Investment Commitment, focusing on supporting under-resourced communities and forming strategic partnerships.
- As part of KeyBank’s Bicentennial celebrations, Shanelle helped create the KeyBank Foundation’s first-ever request for proposals (RFP) to support Community Development Financial Institutions focused on affordable housing and small business—leading to an investment of over $5 million.
- Conceived the development of the Cleveland Housing Investment Fund (CHIF), with the goal of raising $100 million for mixed-income rental housing and homeownership.
Non-profit/Civic Experience
- She serves as the Vice Chair of the Assembly for the Arts and holds board positions with various organizations.
Education
- Master’s from Case Western Reserve University
- M.B.A. from Case Western Reserve University
Contact Information
Board of Trustees
Greater Cleveland Regional Transit Authority
1240 W. 6th Street
Cleveland, OH 44113
216-356-3120, email