Shaun Dass

Shaun Dass | Community Leader, Educator & Project Manager

Rooted in LaSalle

Shaun Dass (pronounced Doss) is a long-time LaSalle resident, husband, father, educator, project manager, and community leader who has dedicated his career to empowering people and strengthening the organizations he serves.

His connection to LaSalle dates back to the early 1970s, when his father managed the old Village Market grocery store (now the site of Zehrs). Growing up playing in the serene, rural neighborhoods of the municipality, Shaun fell in love with the town’s warm, hospitable character. Those early impressions led his family to move to Sandwich West, where neighbors greeted each other along tree-lined streets long before the area re-incorporated into the modern Town of LaSalle in 1991.

In 2001, Shaun married the love of his life, Rebecca. Together, they raised two daughters who attended St. Joseph’s and Villanova.

Technology, Business & Community Service

Throughout the 1990s and early 2000s, Shaun built a dynamic career in IT as a systems analyst, software engineer, and sales engineer across Ontario and Michigan. Managing medium-to-large-scale projects—including Y2K preparedness and financial technology initiatives—he simultaneously earned degrees in both Political Science and Computer Science.

Driven by a passion for civic engagement, Shaun held numerous leadership roles at the University of Windsor and across Michigan, serving as president, senator, vice president, and treasurer in university organizations. For five years, he also created, directed, and hosted a political, entertainment, and musical variety show on CJAM Radio.

Community service has remained a lifelong pillar for Shaun. He was selected for the United Way Young Leaders of Tomorrow program (serving two years on the board focusing on finance) and was a founding member of the LaSalle Centennial Rotary Club.

Educational Leadership & Labour Relations

Following the early 2000s tech shift, Shaun seamlessly transitioned into higher education and secondary instruction. After completing his Bachelor of Education in 2007, he added English to his teachable subjects, eventually earning the OCELT (Ontario Certified English Language Teacher) designation—the highest certification for English instruction in the province.

His commitment to educators led to union leadership roles with OSSTF and OPSEU at the provincial level. As Chief Negotiator, Shaun successfully led local and provincial teams through multi-million-dollar labor negotiations, crafting fair employment contracts that balanced the interests of both management and staff.

Governance, Strategy & Financial Stewardship

Building on his negotiation and project management expertise, Shaun advanced into executive strategy, board governance, and organizational leadership. He has directed multi-million-dollar budgets and finances from government grants, public donations, and complex revenue streams for prominent institutions, including:

• The Ontario Trillium Foundation

• Ontario Colleges and Universities Committees

• Google

• Windsor Regional Hospital Foundation

Having completed two years of doctoral research as a PhD Candidate in Organizational Leadership, Shaun’s innovative project management strategies have earned awards in innovation and entrepreneurship combining deep governance experience with creative problem-solving, Shaun brings a proven track record of developing innovative revenue strategies and practical solutions for complex organizational challenges.