Shawna has dedicated her career to fire and aviation management. She spent almost 20 years as a hotshot and was the first superintendent of the San Juan Hotshots. She was the Forest Fire Management Officer on the San Bernardino National Forest and the Regional Fire and Aviation Director for the in California.

In 2020, she retired as the National Director of Fire and Aviation for the United States Department of Agriculture - Forest Service, in Washington, DC. Shawna has represented the United States on fires in Australia, Brazil, and Mexico. She worked at the World Trade Center 9/11 disaster, Hurricane Rita, and the Greensburg Tornado.

Shawna has a Doctorate in Psychology, a Master of Science in Kinesiology and a Bachelor of Science in Exercise Physiology and Teaching.