Shela Levante (she/her) is a dedicated philanthropist, connector, and advocate committed to advancing equity through the power of community and storytelling. She currently serves as Executive Director of Institutional Advancement at the Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts, where she leads a $30 million comprehensive campaign and oversees strategic communications and engagement with alumni and donors. With more than a decade of experience in fundraising across higher education and community foundations, Shela brings deep expertise in donor engagement, nonprofit leadership, and social impact. Shelva Levante was appointed to the Massachusetts Commission on the Status of Women (MCSW) by Senate President Karen Spilka in November 2025.

A passionate advocate for gender equity, Shela is the immediate past Chair of the Berkshire County Commission on the Status of Women and Girls, where she worked closely with local and state leaders to promote fundamental rights, representation, and opportunities for women and girls. She also previously co-chaired the Women’s Fund of Western Massachusetts, supporting bold, community-driven solutions to gender-based disparities and investing in women’s leadership across the region.

Outside of her professional and volunteer leadership roles, Shela serves as a Court Appointed Special Advocate (CASA), supporting children navigating the foster care system with compassion and commitment—an experience that informs her advocacy and dedication to systems-level change.

Originally from Arizona, Shela has proudly called the Berkshires home since 2015. She holds a Master of Public Administration from Northeastern University and a Bachelor’s degree in Nonprofit Leadership from Arizona State University. She is a 2024 AFP Leadership Institute cohort member, an active participant in AFP Western Massachusetts and the Planned Giving Group of New England and has been published in The Volunteer Management Report and the Journal of Education Advancement & Marketing.

Whether mobilizing resources, amplifying marginalized voices, or creating space for meaningful change, Shela brings purpose, passion, and a deep belief in the transformative power of equity-driven work.