A graduate of Florida International University with a B.A. in
Psychology, the former Miami Dolphins Cheerleader and
Ambassador is currently the Regional Human Resources Manager
for an International CPA firm. Shannon is also a national
spokesperson for Celiac Disease Awareness, an autoimmune
disease she was diagnosed with in 2009 which requires her to
maintain a gluten free diet for the remainder of her life. She
has graced the cover of two national publications sharing her
story with others.

She graduated in 1999 from Florida International University
and was fortunate enough to represent her home State as Miss
Florida USA in 2002 and won Miss Photogenic at the 2002 Miss
USA Pageant. At the end of her reign, she packed her bags and
moved to New York City. But after five years of cold weather,
she came back to sunny Florida! As fate would have it, Shannon
then connected with the love of her life, Ray Quintana. After
almost seven years apart, they were married on 10.10.10. Just
goes to show you that if it's meant to be, it will be.

After two years of marriage, Shannon and Ray wanted to start a
family. After an unsuccessful year of trying, they received
the diagnosis …Unexplained Infertility. Two more years
followed with test after test, treatment after treatment and
still no baby. Having already spent thousands of dollars, they
were now facing the challenges that so many couples face every
day, how could they financially afford to continue to “TRY”
and start a family, with no guarantee of success.

Then in 2015, Shannon was fortunate to be admitted into an IVF
clinical study called the IVY Study. This study provided a
single round of In Vitro fertilization (IVF) at a
significantly reduced cost. For two months, Shannon and her
husband Ray drove four hours each way for doctors’
appointments, all with the hope of starting their family. In
December 2015, that dream was realized with birth of their
son, Rider.

Now as an advocate for Infertility Awareness, Shannon’s
mission is that everyone has access to fertility treatment
benefits and the opportunity to bring home healthy babies.
Shannon is also an ambassador for the Baby Quest Foundation,
which provides grants twice a year to couples seeking
financial assistance with the cost of IVF.

Shannon, Ray & Rider currently reside in Pembroke Pines,
Florida with their two rescue dogs, Sugar Bear and Shiva.
Shannon also competed twice as a Mrs. Florida, placed Top Six
at Mrs. America, and also became the first Mrs. Florida to win
the Mrs. United States title. Mrs. Universe is her first
International title.

She is both humbled and proud to be representing married woman
everywhere!