CITIZEN OF THE WORLD

Shannon Shader of Lake Forest reflects on the globetrotting journey that brought her family here and what it means to serve the community she now calls home.

Try to keep track of all the places that Shannon Shader and husband, Alton, lived before settling in Lake Forest in 2019 and you’d need a world map and a handful of push pins. “I am originally from Washington state and started down a path of adventure when I attended Scripps College in Claremont, California. My husband, Alton, and I lived in Santa Monica before moving to Zurich; Dublin; Lake Forest; Skaneateles, New York; and back to Lake Forest,” explains Shader. “My daughter, Sophia, 18, was born on my birthday in Zurich and my son, Dru, 15, was born in Dublin. I taught full-time for many of these years before hanging up the chalk in 2019!” This allowed her to devote more time to another one of her passions—giving back to the community. “I have been fortunate to serve through organizations like the Infant Welfare Society (IWS) of Chicago, an amazing nonprofit that provides free health care to families in need. I am also a member of the executive board of our IWS chapter, was a co-chair of the 2025 Lake Forest Showhouse & Gardens, and co-chair of the 2022 and 2023 Antiques & Treasures event,” she says, adding that service has now become a family affair. “Throughout my life, the idea of service resonated with me. Wanting to serve, educate, and work with my local and surrounding communities is vital and truly what brings all people together. Watching my children continuing our family’s belief in service fills my heart with joy.” In addition to all her other volunteer work, Shader is supporting her daughter as the co-chair of the Mother’s Trust Foundation’s Teen Coat Drive, an annual event that provides warm clothing to more than 1,000 individuals every year. “I love to see the more than 40 teens that get involved in this great cause,” she says. “Lake Forest is a special place. The friends we have made are extraordinarily fun and caring people that have become like family.” Shader recently took time from her busy schedule to share a few of her favorite things.

Favorite holiday food? A classic Beef Tenderloin with a spicy horseradish sauce just shouts the holidays. Best thing you ever received as a gift? An original menu from my favorite restaurant, Petermann’s Kunststuben in Zurich, 15 years after our last meal there. Drink of choice? Hendrick’s Gin & Tonic with two limes, two orange and two grapefruit wedges. Favorite Lake Forest restaurant? Le Colonial. Love the flavors and the bar area is perfect place for a cocktail or a meal. Best winter beauty hack? OSEA Undaria Algae Body Oil & Anti-aging Body Balm to nourish and hydrate all winter long. It’s the best. Fashion brand or item you can’t live without? I am a dress girl at heart and Ulla Johnson always designs the most gorgeous dresses! Favorite North Shore boutique? Three way tie: Lillie Alexander, The Lake Forest Shop, and Bunny and Babe. One can’t go wrong with any of these three boutiques.

TV show or podcast you can’t stop binging? Nobody Wants This. The cast is outstanding! Favorite local holiday tradition? Lake Forest tree lighting ceremony. The perfect example of true spirit of the holidays and community. Favorite way to stay fit? Tennis and paddle mixed in with occasional bar and spin classes. Favorite downtown hotel for a weekend retreat? The Peninsula. It truly checks all the boxes! What’s at the top of your Spotify playlist? The 1975. Matty Healy, their front man, may be a bit of a wild card, but they create fantastic music. Your dream vacation includes? My husband, lounging in the sun somewhere overseas and tropical, sipping on a cocktail and reading a good book. Favorite place to escape for the winter? Parker Palm Springs in Palm Springs, California. What’s first on your list of New Year’s resolutions? Two way tie: more family time before my daughter leaves for college, and less sugar. I am a sucker for sweets!