Chris Shade

If you had to choose one word to describe Chris Shade’s career strengths, it might be versatility. His wide-ranging interests – and the variety of industries he’s worked in – make him an ideal search consultant. From his own experience, he’s been recruiting throughout it all and knows to consider interests and aptitudes and not to pigeonhole anyone.

As assistant executive director for The Ability Experience, a philanthropic initiative of Pi Kappa Phi dedicated to instilling a passion for service while helping empower people living with disabilities, he managed six full-time staffers and development initiatives that accounted for 87% of the organization’s $2.3 million in revenue.

The Cleveland, OH native earned a bachelor’s degree from Bowling Green State University and a master’s in public administration from the University of North Carolina at Charlotte.

He has served as Pi Kappa Phi’s director of development for its foundation and as the fraternity’s director of alumni and volunteer services and, prior to that, expansion coordinator.

He’s been a middle school teacher and head track and wrestling coach and is skilled in public speaking on topics ranging from philanthropy to data-driven engagement.

Chris was a member of Leadership Charlotte’s Class 39 and is also active in the 24 Foundation, which raises funds for cancer survivorship through cycling events.