May 2026 Employees of the Month
Published: June 25, 2026
Updated: June 26, 2026
Every month, the employees at Strategic Communications are given the opportunity to acknowledge exemplary colleagues within or outside their department. Three individuals were chosen by their coworkers for their commitment to customer service, perseverance in the face of challenges, and can-do attitudes!
Sarah Shawhan
Cloud AR Team Lead
- When did you start working for Strategic Communications?
I started in October of 2023 - What is your favorite project that you’ve worked on at Strategic?
Being involved with Cloud AR from the early stages has given me the opportunity to help create the structure and processes that keep the team moving forward. There have been plenty of ups and downs, but it's been rewarding to see everything come together, and I'm proud of the role I've played. - What does your dream vacation look like?
Waking up early to drink coffee on the beach and watching the sunrise, then relaxing on the on the beach or at a pool with no schedule. Crab legs for dinner, old fashioneds to drink and flourless dark chocolate cake for dessert. - Who is your favorite musical artist, and what was the first concert you attended?
I'm a Swiftie through and through. I've never been much of a reader, but Taylor's songs tell incredible, relatable stories that pull me in every time. And while Taylor may be my favorite artist, my very first concert was New Kids on the Block... oh oh ohhohhhh! - How would your family, friends, or coworkers describe you in three words?
Depends on which family member, friend, or coworker you ask. Everyone gets a slightly customized version of me. My family gets the unfiltered version, my friends get the unpredictable and sillier version, and my coworkers get a more polished & professional version. - What is your current favorite TV Show, Podcast, or Book that you’d like to share with the world?
I'm a sucker for reality TV, especially shows like 90 Day Fiancé, Love is Blind and Love on the Spectrum - What is something that people may not know about you?
I got married this April and my last name is changing to Coleman
Kristen Harris
SLED Cooperative Contracts Specialist
- When did you start working for Strategic Communications?
February 2025 - What is your favorite project that you’ve worked on at Strategic?
We did an Application Development project that was really eye opening. Helping a customer find the right vendor fit on a project that size was really awesome. There were a bunch of vendors that could do the work, but narrowing down the specifics on what works best for them was the highlight for me. I really enjoy making sure the end user gets exactly what they are looking for at the end of the day. - What does your dream vacation look like?
That depends on the time of the year, living in Buffalo a break from the winter snow is welcome. So a sunny beach with crystal blue water is fantastic. However, in the summer my family has a small place in the Adirondack mountains in NY. Whether it's floating in the boat on the lake or sitting around a warm fire with some s'mores it is by far my favorite place to be. - Who is your favorite musical artist, and what was the first concert you attended?
Honestly I listen to just about everything, the shuffle on my Spotify is probably confusing to most people. One artist I would go see over and over is Ed Sheeran. He does amazing things with a loop pedal. In a completely different genre my parents took me to my first EVER concert at the NY State Fair, it was Alabama. - How would your family, friends, or coworkers describe you in three words?
Patient, intelligent and ambitious. - What is your current favorite TV Show, Podcast, or Book that you’d like to share with the world?
I've been reading 5 Types of Wealth by Sahil Bloom, not my normal pick up. But honestly it's been an eye opener to how I spend my time and where I want to "invest" my energy.
Michael Mathews
Change Management Officer
- When did you start working for Strategic Communications?
Monday, November 10, 2025 - What was your background prior to working for Strategic Communications?
I spent 13+ years in federal service with the USDA, working to strengthen and expand access to affordable housing in rural areas. Fun fact: I helped deliver over $300M in affordable housing mortgages to 2,000+ individuals and families in rural New Jersey-yes, rural New Jersey is very real! - What aspect of your job do you find most rewarding or fulfilling?
I genuinely enjoy the people at Strategic. I appreciate the opportunity to collaborate, think through challenges, and find meaningful ways to enhance our company. - What is the best career lesson you've learned so far?
Treat everyone with respect regardless of where they sit on the org chart, and always be an active listener. - Outside of work, what are you passionate about/enjoy doing?
I love traveling, experiencing different cultures, and seeing new parts of the world. I’m especially excited to be traveling to Paros and Athens, Greece in July. - What is your current favorite TV Show, Podcast, or Book that you’d like to share with the world?
I’m a big fan of the Power series on Starz: Power, Power Book II: Ghost, Power Book III: Raising Kanan, and Power Book IV: Force. Power Book II: Ghost is my favorite! - What is something that people may not know about you?
I own 32 acres of land in Pigeon Creek, Alabama. It has been in my family for generations, originally purchased by my paternal great-grandfather after he received compensation for the loss of his son in World War I. He acquired over 100 acres and divided it among his children, and it has been passed down ever since. The original will states that the land can never be sold.
