For its next CEO, Cornerstones has chosen a local leader with plenty of experience guiding human services nonprofits through major transformations.
The Reston-based organization announced today (Thursday) that Shannon Steene, the executive director of Carpenter’s Shelter in Alexandria, will take over as its top executive on April 13, replacing longtime CEO Kerrie Wilson.
“Our entire interview team was impressed by Shannon’s compassionate, hands-on leadership expanding homeless services in Alexandria,” Cornerstones Board of Directors Chair Andy Lacher said when announcing the hire. “His extensive human services leadership and ability to lead with flexibility, clarity, and compassion will be a tremendous asset as we continue to strengthen Cornerstones’ 56 years of service to the community.”
A fixture at Cornerstones since 2001, Wilson revealed last summer that she would retire in early 2026, giving the nonprofit time to identify a new CEO. She described her nearly 25-year tenure as “such a joy” when the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors honored her earlier this month.
Her successor has enjoyed similar longevity at his current employer, which announced yesterday (Wednesday) that Steene will step down in March after leading one of the largest homeless shelters in Northern Virginia for 11 years.
“Carpenter’s has been on a tremendous journey, and I feel so much pride for what we’ve been able to do,” Steene told FFXnow’s sister site, ALXnow. “At this moment, Carpenter’s is in a position of strength, and this is the perfect time for a new leader to come in.”
In addition to seeing Carpenter’s Shelter through the COVID-19 pandemic, Steene led the transformation of a former Macy’s store at the now-demolished Landmark Mall into a fully operational temporary shelter while a new, permanent facility was under construction, funded by a $2 million capital fundraising campaign.
The organization also doubled its available beds by taking over operations of the city’s Alexandria Community Shelter in 2023.
At Cornerstones, Steene will oversee an even larger organization that serves approximately 26,000 people annually through housing, child care, and financial and food assistance programs.
On top of operating the 76-bed Embry Rucker Community Shelter in Reston, Cornerstones owns more than 100 affordable housing units in Fairfax County and runs the Laurel Learning Center at Lake Anne Plaza, which has a food pantry and day care.
Founded in 1970 as Reston Interfaith, Cornerstones started as an advocacy group focused on addressing Reston’s affordable housing needs. Since then, it has expanded not only the types of services it offers, but also its service area, as reflected by its name change in 2013.
The nonprofit’s scope now includes Loudoun County — where it opened a 10,000-square-foot Free from Hunger Center to support local food pantries and distribution sites in 2023 — as well as other parts of western Fairfax. Its Fairfax Crest affordable housing development, now under construction in the Fairfax County Government Center parking lot, is on track to deliver its first of 279 apartments later in 2026.
“I’m deeply honored to step into this role and lead an organization with such a strong foundation and trusted reputation,” Steene said in a statement. “Cornerstones’ commitment to excellence speaks for itself, and I’m grateful for the opportunity to build on that legacy while guiding us toward our next chapter of growth and impact.”
This story has been updated to reflect the current number of beds at Embry Rucker Community Shelter.
