Laurie Shanderson Evans, Ph.D., to become new president and CEO of Knoxville Area Urban League

The Knoxville Area Urban League (KAUL) has named Dr. Laurie Shanderson Evans as its new president and chief executive officer. Shanderson, founder and CEO of Accreditation Insights, will assume the leadership position on Monday, July 7, 2025.

Shanderson Evans was selected from a competitive pool of candidates considered during a national search conducted in cooperation with the National Urban League and was unanimously approved by the KAUL board of directors on June 18. She brings more than 30 years of experience in senior administration and higher education leadership, has earned a Master of Public Administration (MPA) and is a Fellow of the American College of Healthcare Executives (FACHE).

“Dr. Shanderson Evans brings not only decades of leadership experience, but also a deep understanding of the systems that shape opportunity and equity in our communities,” said Ursula Bailey, CEO search committee chair and KAUL board-chair elect. “Her expertise and strategic vision for community-building, fundraising and development and impact-focused initiatives, coupled with her commitment to inclusion, education and empowerment, make her the right leader at the right time for the Knoxville Area Urban League.”

Shanderson Evans founded Accreditation Insights, a consultancy that supports educational institutions in developing customized strategies for accreditation, certification and regulatory compliance. As a result of her efforts, she has helped educational institutions navigate these complex processes successfully.

She has held several senior leadership roles in higher education, including serving as chancellor of Methodist College and as founding dean of the School of Health Sciences at Northcentral University. In addition to her leadership roles, she teaches at the graduate level, delivers keynote lectures and has published research in her field.

“I am honored to join the Knoxville Area Urban League and lead an organization with such a powerful legacy of service and advocacy,” Shanderson Evans said. “I look forward to working alongside community leaders, business, donors, partners, clients and residents to advance equity, expand access and create pathways for lasting change.”

Shanderson Evans’ references consistently emphasized her ability to lead through complexity, build collaborative and high-functioning teams, and navigate politically sensitive issues with integrity and courage. She was described as a mission-driven, people-centered and highly strategic leader whose experience in higher education, workforce development and organizational turnaround aligns strongly with the demands of a community-based CEO role.

Shanderson Evans holds a bachelor’s degree in health and human services with a concentration in social science from the State University of New York at Buffalo; Master of Public Administration and a Master of Health Administration from Pace University; and doctorate in health services administration from Walden University. She also completed a certificate in higher education administration from Harvard Graduate School of Education. Along with a diverse history of community service, she served on the board of directors of the Tri-County Peoria Urban League in Illinois. She is relocating to Knoxville from Nashville.

During the 11-month national search and hiring process, longtime community advocate and respected leader Dr. Avice Reid served as interim president and CEO for the nonprofit organization.

“Dr. Reid served as a crucial and effective bridge for the Knoxville Area Urban League during this transition, maintaining and optimizing programs, assessing and streamlining operations and executing key events and initiatives,” said Tyvi Small, immediate past chair of the KAUL board of directors. “Alongside the outstanding KAUL staff and with the support of our incredible board, Dr. Reid continued the success and growth of the organization and has set Dr. Shanderson Evans and the team up with a strong foundation to build upon. We thank Dr. Reid for stepping up when KAUL – and her community – needed her.”

Shanderson Evans will join KAUL just weeks prior to one of the organization’s most beloved signature community events, Shoes for School. The 23rd annual Shoes for School event will be held on Saturday, Aug. 2, from 9 a.m.-noon at Covenant Health Park. Each year, the event provides new shoes and school supplies to hundreds of Knox County students, helping boost their confidence and prepare them for a successful academic year. While students qualify for shoes in advance through KAUL partner agencies, the event is open to the community and donations to support the program are being accepted now.

For more information, visit thekaul.org.