Title: Vice President for Communities Program

Organization: John S. and James L. Knight Foundation

Trabian Shorters joined Knight Foundation in December 2007. He and his team are responsible for the foundation's work in 26 communities across the United States, as well as the Knight Community Information Challenge, Media Learning Seminars and Libraries Initiative. Over his professional career, Trabian's commitment to social innovation has made him a leader in the fields of National Service, Nonprofit Technology, and Social Entrepreneurship as they emerged in the United States.

Trabian came to the Knight Foundation from Ashoka, the world's leading investor in social entrepreneurs. A social entrepreneur is one who blends deep insights for solving societal challenge with an entrepreneur's drive and adaptability. Prior to that he was a social entrepreneur and the founder of Technology Works for Good (now NPower Greater DC Region). TWFG was a partnership between AOL, Microsoft, Fannie Mae, The Meyer Foundation and dozens of smaller technology firms and grant-makers to help nonprofits use technology strategically.

About 20 years ago, Trabian cut his teeth in the non-profit sector as an inaugural Points of Light Foundation Ambassador under first president George Bush. He also researched African American and American traditions of philanthropy at the Center on Philanthropy, was a co-founder of the National African American Males Collaboration and was an author of the AmeriCorps National Service Program under president Clinton.

Today, in addition to his work at Knight Foundation, he serves on the board of DonorsChoose.org, is an "International reviewer" for Ashoka and a coach to NYU's Catherine B. Reynolds Foundation Program for Social Entrepreneurship. Originally from Pontiac Michigan, he earned a journalism degree from Michigan State University, is a Cranbrook alumnus and the proud first grandchild of Kennis and Irma Lee Hutchons.