Shannon's work involves the development of reliable information to assist decisionmaking for policymakers, providers, purchasers, and consumers of health care services. She focuses on the reporting on market trends and policy analysis, advancing health care and insurer performance measurement and reporting, and increasing the availability and usefulness of information and tools for consumers.

Prior to joining CHCF, she served as assistant vice president for clinical services development for the University of California. She has also been executive director for HCP, a Partnership for Health, which is an alliance of hospitals and medical groups in the San Francisco area; benefits manager for Mervyn's California; and in various management positions at Blue Cross of California.

Shannon received a bachelor's degree in communications and industrial engineering from Northwestern University and a master's degree in health administration from the University of Colorado.