A Profession Constructed on Change and Alternative
Shannon Lima grew up in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, with a pure curiosity about individuals and enterprise. She studied Communications, Media, and Expertise at La Roche School, then later earned her MBA from the College of Pittsburgh.
Trying again, she describes her journey in a single easy manner: “I’ve all the time been drawn to alternatives the place I may study rapidly and make an influence.” That curiosity has carried her by a singular profession spanning sports activities media, style, entrepreneurship, and consulting.
Overlaying the Knicks with ESPN Journal
Her first cease was in sports activities media. Lima labored as a sideline reporter for ESPN Journal, overlaying the New York Knicks. It was a front-row seat to one in every of basketball’s greatest phases.
“It taught me tips on how to suppose on my toes,” she says. “It’s a must to pay attention, course of quick, and talk clearly. That talent has by no means left me.”
The function gave her confidence but additionally confirmed her how media and enterprise join. That curiosity opened the door to her subsequent chapter.
Breaking into New York Trend
After sports activities, Lima entered the style district in New York Metropolis. She joined a luxurious outerwear firm, serving to develop its retail footprint.
Her work was hands-on. She helped the model land spots in Nordstrom, Saks Fifth Avenue, and Macy’s. It was right here that she realized how offers are made.
“Trend taught me the facility of positioning,” she explains. “It’s about figuring out your buyer and placing the product in the proper place on the proper time.”
The expertise sharpened her expertise in model technique and retail partnerships. It additionally gave her the arrogance to strive one thing daring on her personal.
Launching Pickles & Roses
Lima determined to create her personal startup, a model known as Pickles & Roses. She labored to get it into retailers throughout the U.S., together with Mattress Tub & Past, BuyBuy Child, Nordstrom and TJ Maxx.
Constructing a enterprise from the bottom up got here with its challenges, but additionally its rewards. “While you’re constructing one thing your self, you put on each hat,” she says. “I dealt with the whole lot from product design to gross sales. It taught me resilience and gave me a love for the enterprise aspect of launching a model.”
This was the turning level. She realized her ardour was not simply in branding however in constructing companies from the within out.
Returning to College for an MBA
Eager to go deeper, Lima returned to Pittsburgh to pursue her MBA on the College of Pittsburgh. She targeted on enterprise development and transformation.
“Going again to high school was about investing in myself,” she recollects. “I wished to know the monetary, operational, and management features that make companies succeed.”
Her research gave her the inspiration she wanted to step into consulting on the international degree.
Consulting at Cognizant
Right now, Shannon Lima works as a Consulting Supervisor in M&A and Organizational Change Administration at Cognizant. She helps fortune 500 firms navigate mergers, acquisitions, and main transitions.
Her function is about guiding shoppers and organizations by complexity. “Change is tough for organizations and folks,” she says. “My job is to make it smoother, to assist management join technique with individuals so the enterprise can transfer ahead.”
Her path has given her an edge. Having seen enterprise from the lens of media, style, startups, and now international consulting, she brings a large various perspective.
Mentorship and Giving Again
Exterior of labor, Lima invests her time in mentoring. She serves on the Profession Committee for the Ladies’s Bond Membership, the place she helps younger ladies in faculty discover careers in finance.
“I understand how complicated these first steps could be,” she says. “If I can join somebody to the proper alternative or simply share what I’ve realized, that makes a distinction.”
Life Past Work
Whereas her profession has been stuffed with quick adjustments, Lima finds steadiness by motion and new experiences. She enjoys mountaineering, SoulCycle, operating, yoga, and pilates, in addition to attempting new eating places.
“I really like exploring, whether or not it’s a brand new path or a brand new meal,” she shares. “It retains me grounded.”
Classes from the Journey
When requested what ties her journey collectively, Lima factors to adaptability. “You possibly can’t all the time predict the place your path will lead, however you possibly can keep open and able to study,” she says.
Her story reveals how expertise switch throughout industries, and the way curiosity can form a profession. From the sidelines of Madison Sq. Backyard to boardrooms at Cognizant, Shannon Lima (hyperlink web site when carried out) has constructed a profession by following alternatives and serving to others do the identical.
Have you ever learn?
International locations by Common Wealth per Individual.
World’s most peaceable international locations.
Largest and Smallest International locations (Inhabitants).
International locations With The Highest Revenue And Wealth Equality.
Copyright 2025 The CEOWORLD journal. All rights reserved. This materials (and any extract from it) should not be copied, redistributed or positioned on any web site, with out CEOWORLD journal’ prior written consent. For media queries, please contact: data@ceoworld.biz
