50 Leading Women: Dr. Shun Thomas

In honor and celebration of our Women’s Division‘s 50th Anniversary, we will be spotlighting 50 Leading Women making an impact, raising their voice, and leading the next generation of women in the workforce and Plano community.

Introducing, Dr. Shun Thomas, Governance Director for the Junior League of Collin County. Dr. Thomas serves the community in many capacities, but she spends the majority of her time serving as the Governance Director for the Junior League of Collin County. Formerly known as Junior League of Plano, Junior League of Collin County is an organization of women committed to promoting volunteerism, developing the potential of women, and improving the community through the effective action and leadership of trained volunteers. Its purpose is exclusively educational and charitable. Dr. Thomas is no stranger to Plano. She started her 18 year long career in education at Plano ISD as a Special Education Teacher, working her way up and through the ranks, ending her public education career as the District 504 Coordinator. As the District 504 Coordinator, Dr. Thomas supported Plano ISD’s commitment to Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, a federal law passed to ensure that eligible students with a disability received equal access and protection from discrimination while attending public school. Dr. Shun Thomas is continuing her professional development as a current class member of Leadership Plano Class 39! We are so thankful for her leadership and the impact she has had as an educator and now as a community volunteer.

1. Describe your leadership style and how you lead others.

Over the years I’ve found that I am an adaptive leader. One may ask what is that? A leader who has this unique quality is one who can lead diverse groups of people during prosperous and turbulent times within an organization. A leader of this kind is an expert in her field, innovative, listens to those that she leads with empathy, provides support to all stakeholders, and is not afraid to do the work.

2. How can women develop their leadership skills in the workforce?

It is my opinion that leaders must always realize the importance of being a lifelong learner. Doing this they must read current literature in their field and learn from other experts so that they can continue developing their leadership skills.

3. What are the most important decisions you make as a leader?

Understanding people and policy are the most important decisions that I make as a leader. Once I understand both things, I can support everyone that I collaborate with and guide those that I lead with fidelity.

 4. What has been one of your biggest joys as a leader?

I always find delight in witnessing others that I lead grow and effectively lead groups of people themselves.

5. What has been your greatest career disappointment? What did you learn from it?

I‘ve never had a career disappointment. I find opportunities to learn and grow from any instance so that I can lead others more efficiently. This may seem like an unusual statement; however, my father taught me to serve others in this manner at an early age. He also taught me to find opportunities for growth in any instance. Doing this will make me a better human and a better leader.

6. What strategies could be used to promote inclusion in the workplace?

I am currently dissecting a book written by Mr. David Straus called “How to Make Collaboration Work”. Although it is not current literature, I am finding that it provides a foundation of how leaders should foster collaboration and inclusion in the workplace. He gives solid advice on relevant stakeholders to involve in any instance of collaboration. He notes that four types of stakeholders should be included:

1. Those with the formal power to make a decision.
2. Those with the power to block a decision.
3. Those affected by a division.
4. Those with relevant information of expertise.

One does not have to add all the listed stakeholder types to a collaborative effort all of the time, but a combination of them would help with reaching developed goals.

7. What advice would you give your 25-year-old self?

“Listen AND learn from your elders.” My mother has been a Sunday School and Bible Study teacher for years. As a child, I remember her engaging in Bible study or “Mission” as we called it in the old Baptist church, with all the older women of the congregation. One day she addressed her women’s group to express why she loves engaging in learning with them. For the life of me I couldn’t understand why a woman in her 20’s would be with women in their 60’s and 70’s, but that night I heard her say that she chose that group because they provide her with wisdom and knowledge to not only be a great woman of God but also a great servant leader. I always remembered that night, but I didn’t understand what she meant by that until now. Reflecting on that moment, I know that as a leader you can’t guide groups of people to fulfill the mission, vision, and values of an organization without understanding the past. I understand that learning from those that have come before me helps with the progression of any group that I lead.

8. What advice can you give to the next generation of female leaders?

Always seek opportunities for learning. While one may be considered an expert in their field there is always room for growth. Collaboration and learning from others is important when leading groups of people.

9. Who inspired you and why?

I am always inspired by my husband, James Thomas III. I am always in awe watching him serve others. He treats others the same no matter what. He will always ask, “How are you?” or “Is there anything that I can do for you?” Serving others brings him joy and others see that. I think that is why the community loves him so much.

10. What do you want to be remembered for? 

I want to be remembered as one who only wanted to help others and see them prosper.