Shaun A. Pennington is an elder, a seeker, and a lifelong witness to the ways human beings suffer, struggle, and rise. For decades, her journey has taken her across continents and into countless communities, from the foothills of Mount Everest to the heart of Africa, from the streets of Washington D.C. and New York City to the shores of St. Thomas, U.S. Virgin Islands, where she spent most of her adult life.

As the founder of The Virgin Islands Source, the first and only non affiliated daily online-only news publications of general circulation in the Caribbean, Shaun built what became the USVI’s newspapers of record, committed to justice, truth-telling, and civic accountability. Her work earned awards and set a new standard for independent journalism.

Her spiritual path — rooted in experience rather than doctrine — reflects decades of travel, personal inquiry, and the kind of inner work championed by teachers from Swami Satchidananda to Fr. Richard Rohr. A recovering alcoholic, Shaun speaks with clarity about suffering, resilience, grace, and the long road of self-knowledge.

Today, Shaun embraces her role as an elder, one who shares hard-earned wisdom to help others navigate their own journeys toward fulfillment.

Take care of yourself, make eye contact, smile and tell the truth.