Experienced Chicago-based leader brings proven record of advancing equitable innovation and entrepreneurship
CHICAGO [December 2, 2025] — SEED SPOT, a national social impact incubator supporting purpose-driven entrepreneurs, announced the appointment of Shannon McGhee as its next Chief Executive Officer, effective December 1, 2025.
McGhee joins SEED SPOT after more than a decade advancing equitable entrepreneurship, innovation, and community-centered economic development. Most recently, she served as Vice President of Programs and Engagement at mHUB, the nation’s leading independent hardtech innovation center, where she led strategy, program and membership growth, and ecosystem partnership development. Under her leadership, mHUB achieved record membership, engagement, and founder outcomes. As a founding member of the mHUB team, she has held successive roles in marketing, equity-centered programming and community partnerships, and now leads the broader incubator’s programming and engagement strategy.
“What really stands out about Shannon is her record of forging strategic cross-sector partnerships that scale high-impact programs,” said Sentari Minor, a four-time Inc. 5000 executive at evolvedMD and chair of SEED SPOT’s board of directors. “Her commitment to equity in entrepreneurship and her skill in convening donors, industry leaders, and partner organizations to achieve measurable outcomes make her the ideal fit for our next chapter of growth. We are thrilled to welcome her as SEED SPOT’s next CEO.”
At mHUB, McGhee oversaw programs that supported more than $2.02 billion in capital and $1.96 billion in revenue. Participants in mHUB were awarded 565 patents, launched 1702 products, and hired 6,809 direct employees. During her tenure, she grew membership by more than 35% and increased participation by companies owned by underrepresented founders by 20% in two years. She also secured more than $3.5 million in public and philanthropic funding to support a suite of programs that distributed over $1.5 million in non-dilutive funding and in-kind services to early-stage entrepreneurs and community-based organizations.
“SEED SPOT’s mission reflects my core belief that entrepreneurs, especially those historically excluded from the innovation economy, deserve access to opportunity, resources, and community,” said McGhee. “Invention and ownership are two of the most powerful drivers of economic resilience and shared prosperity. I’m honored to lead this incredible team into SEED SPOT’s next chapter to unlock even greater impact for founders across the country.”
McGhee brings extensive experience in communications, workforce, and economic development from leadership roles at mHUB, World Business Chicago, Hawthorne Strategy Group, and FleishmanHillard. She has been nationally recognized as one of Crain’s Chicago Business “Notable Women in Manufacturing,” a “Notable Executive in HR and DEI,” and a 2022 Chicago Urban League IMPACT Fellow. McGhee also serves on the Chicago Metropolitan Agency for Planning Regional Economy Committee and Cook County Solar Synergy Committee. She is a graduate of Butler University’s School of Journalism.
McGhee inherits a strong network of SEED SPOT partners, including the Best Buy Foundation, NBA Foundation, EY, Volunteers of America, 92NY, VentureWell, and Comerica. These partners collaborate with SEED SPOT to deliver targeted impact outcomes aligned with specific demographic, regional, and impact priorities. Recent partner initiatives include the Youth Entrepreneurship Program, Community Health Accelerator, and Nonprofit Accelerator.
