Claire's Community Staff
Shannon VanLandingham
Founding Executive Director
Shannon VanLandingham is the Founding Executive Director of Claire’s Community, dedicated to preventing relationship violence through education, awareness, and community engagement. After her daughter Claire was killed by an ex-boyfriend with a gun, Shannon transformed unimaginable grief into action. As a former educator, she brings both heart and evidence-based prevention strategies into schools, families, and communities to help prevent violence before it starts. Shannon speaks as both a parent and a prevention advocate, committed to ensuring that no other family has to endure the loss she has known.
Will Averill
Director of Operations & Communications
Will has over ten years of experience in local nonprofits, including The Ballard Center, Community Children's Center, Mid-America Arts Alliance, and The Willow Domestic Violence Center.
In those roles, he has helped organizations tell their stories more effectively, strengthen internal systems, raise money, build community partnerships, and occasionally make an ambitious idea work with about $12 and three days' notice.
A proud graduate of the Leadership Lawrence Class of 2023, Will remains deeply involved in the Lawrence community. He is an active member of the Rotary Club of Lawrence, a proud co-boss of Lawrence's Nerd Nite, and has served in a variety of nonprofit, arts, and community leadership roles.
Outside of work, Will is a published playwright and author, theatre director, storyteller, and longtime Lawrence troublemaker-for-good. Will lives down by the river with his wife, Jacqueline, 11-going-on-67-year-old son, and their giant, floofy, best girl Pyrenees, Daisy.
Craig Arnold
Community Engagement & Prevention Educator
After a well-rounded 30-year career in the Army, Craig brings a deep commitment to service and advocacy to our mission. For the past five years, he has dedicated his energy to prevention education and crisis response-roles that demand a steady hand & a compassionate ear. While his professional roots are in military service, Craig's approach is defined by connection and community; he is passionate about building safe, supportive spaces where every voice feels heard and valued.
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When he isn't developing new engagement programs, Craig enjoys a much slower pace of life at Fort Leavenworth with his wife, Shannon, and their youngest child, Gavin. He remains a proud supporter of his two oldest children as they navigate their own young adult journeys. You'll often find Craig out on the trails for a long run or under a heavy pack, almost always accompanied by his faithful Australian Shepherd, Shadow. Whether he's recharging with a good book or a gaming session, Craig truly appreciates the balance of both "analog" and "digital" downtime.​
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Dinesha LaShay
Graphic Design & Digital Content Creator
Dinesha is a Digital Marketing and Content Creator for Claire’s Community and the owner of Lashay Photography based in Lawrence, Kansas. She is passionate about diversity and inclusion, weaving those values into both her creative work and community impact.
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A dedicated leader and sexual assault survivor, Dinesha uses her voice to raise awareness- particularly around breaking silence within the church and creating safer, more supportive spaces for youth. She has received three Gold Presidential Service Awards and is currently pursuing her Lifetime Achievement Award. As United States of America’s Miss Virginia 2025, she collaborated with a team advocating for community action from Virginia state leaders to advance mandates beyond standard reporting requirements.
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Dinesha has never met a stranger- if you stand still long enough, she’s probably starting a conversation with you. When she’s not creating content or uplifting her community, you can find her fueled by Scooter’s Coffee & bringing energy, authenticity, & a little humor everywhere she goes. She believes real impact starts with showing up, being real, and making people feel seen.