Team

Shantel Suárez Ávila

she/her/ella
Founder & Principal Resource Strategist
San Diego, CA

Shantel Suárez Ávila is the proud daughter of Mexican immigrant parents and a Chicago native now rooted in Escondido, CA. A dog mom, yoga student, creative spirit, and nature lover, she brings heart and intention to everything she does. In 2018, after receiving a bittersweet severance package, she chose to fundraise boldly—centering community wisdom, practicing her values, and refusing to shrink dreams to fit broken systems.

In 2019, she founded Más Allá, a fundraising practice grounded in love, justice, and possibility beyond the status quo. Through Más Allá, she partners with BIPOC-led organizations nationwide to raise transformative revenue with care and integrity, while challenging harmful norms in the nonprofit and philanthropic sectors.

With more than a decade of experience, Shantel has raised over $53 million for women-led and Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC)-led/serving organizations. She began her career at Obama for America Headquarters in 2012, where she deepened her commitment to grassroots power-building and people-centered strategy.

A former co-steward of the CCF San Diego Chapter and currently serves as a co-steward of the San Diego Solidarity Network and CCF North American Council, she is dedicated to systems change—building authentic relationships, strengthening community, and expanding the power of historically excluded communities.

Shantel is an alumna of DePaul University, where she earned a Bachelor of Arts in Public Policy and Next Economy MBA focused on building an equitable, inclusive & regenerative economy. She holds certifications as a Project Management Professional (PMP) and Change Management Specialist. Connect with Shantel on LinkedIn.