Athenian Group announces Shawn VanDiver joining to lead newly created role handling External Affairs

Prominent professional services firm adds accomplished leader to the team, signals bright future ahead

SAN DIEGO--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Athenian Group is thrilled to announce the appointment of Shawn VanDiver as Vice President of External Affairs. With a deep-rooted commitment to public service, a strong background in the professional services sector, and an unwavering desire to positively impact the most vulnerable among us, Shawn brings a wealth of experience and knowledge to the firm. His unique perspective will bolster Athenian's leadership team and marks a pivotal step forward for the future of the company.

VanDiver is no stranger to the complexities of business and government or the intersection of the two. Before joining the Athenian team, Shawn was Chief Growth Officer at 11:59 and Senior Manager (Client Relationship Executive) at Deloitte, where he led business development efforts for public sector portfolio work at each company. He currently serves as the Treasurer for the San Diego Convention Center Corporation and was appointed to that post in 2021 by the San Diego City Council. He also serves on the Board of Directors for the Veterans Community Oversight and Engagement Board (VCOEB), a Federal Advisory Committee to which he was recently reappointed by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs, Denis McDonough.

Reflecting on this opportunity to merge his passion for public service and expertise in professional services, VanDiver stated, "I am honored to join the incredible Athenian Group team and work alongside dedicated professionals who share my vision of fostering positive change in the world. I am eager to leverage my experience and passion to meaningfully impact our clients and those they serve.”

His role at Athenian Group is new and focused on all externally facing aspects of the firm’s business, including marketing, communications, community engagement, and government affairs.

Shawn has a profound understanding of federal, state, and local politics and policy. He has been involved in key efforts at the local level, like implementing Get it Done, the City of San Diego’s award-winning constituent engagement tool. On the national and international fronts, Shawn has driven critical issues related to Afghanistan and Mexico, engaging with cabinet officials at the White House and the Department of State. A U.S. Navy veteran with over a decade of dedicated service and his military background adds a unique layer of expertise, particularly in the realms of national and domestic security. Since leaving the Navy in 2013, VanDiver has advised government leaders from city council members to President Biden.

“We're exceptionally pleased to have someone of Shawn's caliber join us. His diverse experience, proven results, and ability to engage with government officials at all levels will be invaluable as we continue to grow and diversify Athenian's capabilities," said Bobby Dixon, President and Chief Executive Officer of Athenian Group.

In addition to his new role at Athenian, Shawn serves as the President of #AfghanEvac, a non-profit organization which collaborates with the federal government in an unprecedented public-private partnership to enable Afghan allies to achieve their American dream. He also serves on the Board of Directors for the San Diego Convention Center and the Veterans Community Oversight and Engagement Board (VCOEB). His dedication to social impact and policy change perfectly aligns with Athenian's mission to deliver sustainable, customized solutions for the clients they serve in both the public and private sectors.

About Athenian Group

Athenian Group is a consulting firm specializing in program management and organizational change management. As a leading black-owned professional services firm, they collaborate with blue-chip organizations across the private sector and top government entities at local, state, and federal levels.

Athenian Group’s goal is to enact sustainable change through tailored solutions, combining cross-industry best practices with top-tier expertise to address each client's unique challenges.