Shawn M. Upchurch, Founder & CEO

Shawn M. Upchurch’s mission, and that of UpSearch, is to enable every leader to unlock data’s full potential. As a Cloud & Data Platform strategist, Shawn helps Essential Service Providers develop a global approach to data estates.

Since the early 1990s, Shawn has helped leaders achieve lasting change for themselves, their teams, and their organizations by managing intentional change. As a practicing scholar of emotional intelligence and intentional change theory, Shawn has the unique ability to interpret, simplify, and solve complex issues that unlock potential often trapped at the intersection of purpose, people, and technology. He has advised hundreds of board members, business owners, executives, and aspiring future leaders.

Shawn Upchurch holds an M.B.A. (Systems Management) and B.A. (Economics) from Baldwin Wallace University. He earned an Emotional and Social Competency Inventory (ESCI) Accreditation from Case Western Reserve University’s Weatherhead School of Management.

Shawn is a fierce advocate for equality, a philanthropist, and a nonprofit board leader. He served as a Framer and Chair of the Elimination of Prejudice Foundation Board of Directors and President of Pi Lambda Phi’s Educational Foundation Board of Directors. Shawn modernized both 501(c)(3) organizations, aligned to IRS nonprofit best practices, and raised over $2MM.

Shawn Upchurch is a life-long student of Leadership and Emotional Intelligence. His intellectual interests include the role of transformational leadership in the data and analytics maturity model, as well as board governance. As a father of two premature children, Shawn has broad interests in helping preemies thrive and believes every life has equal value.

Education & Certifications

  • ESCI Accreditation, Case Western Reserve University – Weatherhead School of Management
  • Master of Business Administration, Baldwin Wallace University
  • Bachelor of Arts, Economics, Baldwin Wallace University

Board Governance & Nonprofit Leadership

  • Elimination of Prejudice Foundation; Chair of the Board (2019), Board Co-Chair (2018), Secretary (2020), Ex-Officio Board Member (2016-2018), and Founding Director (2014-2015), 2014-present.
  • Pi Lambda Phi Educational Foundation; President (2015-2018) and Ex-Officio (2018-2020), 2014-2020.
  • Pi Lambda Phi International Fraternity; Vice-President (2010-2011) and Council Member, 2015-2019 & 2006-2011.
  • Baldwin Wallace University Alumni Council, 2010-2012 & 2004-2006.
  • Pi Lambda Phi Ohio Beta Tau Alumni Association, 1995-present.

What Others Say About Shawn Upchurch

“Shawn Upchurch and the team he has put together is absolutely amazing. He truly understands recruiting and human capital and is very intelligent when it comes to business. He receives my absolute highest recommendation.”

“For the past decade, I’ve partnered with UpSearch to build top performing teams and accelerate my personal development.  Shawn Upchurch is masterful at helping companies and individuals reach their potential. I continue to partner with Shawn because of his unique ability to remain focused on my company’s purpose, while we move between strategy and tactics to create practical and successful solutions.”

“Shawn Upchurch has the unique ability to recognize and solve complex business and people issues before they become organizational issues. I had an opportunity to work with Shawn once a week for several months. I went through a creative process that inspired me to maximize my personal and professional potential. Now I know how to more effectively manage change and I am more prepared than ever to lead deliberately.”

“UpSearch has been a tremendous resource to my company since 1999. Personally, Shawn Upchurch has been instrumental in accelerating my evolution from manager to leader. Shawn excels at closing organizational, team and individual developmental gaps by intentionally managing change. We collaborated at the highest level, from global strategic planning and product positioning to the everyday minutia associated with leadership.”

“Since 2006, Shawn Upchurch and his team have helped me transform cultures and navigate through multiple complex people and technology situations at two companies. Shawn is an ideal partner because of his business know-how, systems mind, integrity, work ethic and above all commitment to solving my unique business problems.”

“Shawn Upchurch helped me re-discover my leadership style, understand the importance of purpose-centered branding and adapt to the realities of reputation management. He provided engaging, fresh, and easy-to-execute perspectives that helped me become a better leader.”

“Shawn Upchurch played a significant role in my transformation from manager to leader. He helped me get better at managing relationships and ultimately be more effective. Shawn helped me turn near-term operations competencies into signature-strengths and taught me how to intentionally make blind spots strengths. Shawn provides extraordinary value.”

“Shawn Upchurch helped me break down barriers that had been holding me back for years. He helped me re-discover myself, become a better leader and achieve better results.”

“Shawn Upchurch is an accomplished businessman who is providing exceptional volunteer leadership in Pi Lambda Phi, a remarkable international fraternity dedicated to the elimination of prejudice. Bright. Committed. Insightful. Tireless. Shawn is a model for how we should conduct ourselves in our personal and professional lives.”

“Shawn Upchurch has a remarkable ability to identify root issues, provide practical solutions and keep other focused on “purpose.” He encourages, supports others and leads by example. Our governing board benefited greatly from his leadership.”

“Shawn is the rare combination of strategist and executioner. He has the innate ability to create a vision and then deliver that vision. His tireless dedication, focus and drive are what guarantee progress on any project, no matter what the hurdles. Shawn is not the consultant that advises then vacates; instead, he advises, rolls up his sleeves and forges through the trenches. As a trustee of an educational foundation, UpSearch built us a platform that made us relevant and credible. We outsourced several human capital needs to his firm and we realized results on all fronts. Effective, equitable, strategic, knowledgeable. Integrity at its finest!”