Shannon Rusk
Executive Vice President of Development
Oppidan
Excelsior, Minnesota
As Executive Vice President of Development at Oppidan, Shannon Rusk has redefined what leadership looks like in commercial real estate. Over the course of nearly two decades with Oppidan, she has played a pivotal role in expanding the company’s reach and diversifying its portfolio.
Today, Oppidan is a nationally recognized real estate development company with more than 600 projects valued at over $5.3 billion and spanning 31.4 million square feet across 43 states and parts of Canada.
Rusk is one of those lucky few who have found a career that she not only excels at but that she enjoys.
“I love the people and relationship part of the business,” Rusk said. “Development has been such a great blend of challenging problem-solving and wayfinding through a maze. There is no one transaction that follows the same path and I have enjoyed finding the way through every deal with a great team at my side. Every success story of the development deals I have been engaged with at Oppidan has been based on a team of us coming together to get there. This is not an individual sport!”
Rusk has also constantly pursued innovation throughout her career. Recognizing untapped opportunity, Rusk led Oppidan’s entry into the senior housing market and has since guided the development of 13 communities in Minnesota and California, totaling more than 2,000 apartments. Within this portfolio, she created The Pillars brand, which has become a cornerstone of Oppidan’s senior living platform and a model for integrating design, wellness and community engagement.
Rusk has also driven innovation through initiatives she personally launched, including the Pillars Fund, which has committed more than $500,000 to memory-care programming, and WellnessVR, a first-of-its-kind technology program integrated into every Pillars community to enhance residents’ well-being.
Rusk’s support for the senior living industry is unwavering. As an active member of the American Seniors Housing Association, she is frequently invited to speak to national audiences on industry trends and leadership. She also organized a team to participate in the 200-mile Hood to Coast relay to raise funds for Alzheimer’s research.
Prior to her work in senior housing, Rusk built and strengthened Oppidan’s national partnerships, beginning with Camping World’s nationwide expansion and continuing through major developments in oil and gas and sports facilities valued at more than $60 million.
Beyond development success, Rusk has transformed Oppidan’s culture by founding the company’s annual Women’s Networking Event, connecting hundreds of women across industries.
“Finding my voice as a female in this business has taken too many years,” Rusk said.” I wish that I could have found it much earlier. I am committed to helping other females and young professionals get to their potential and establish the confidence that they deserve as quickly as they deserve.”
To stay successful in this business? Rusk has relied on her integrity, work ethic and commitment to her clients.
“Be honest and true to your moral compass,” Rusk said. “There have been occasions early on where I was pushed to do or say something that I did not feel comfortable with. I absolutely will not and do not do that today. I also make sure to share this with any of the team members I work alongside today.”
When not working, Rusk focuses on “anything with movement,” activities that include running, hiking, golf, yoga, pickleball and skiing. She says that her ideal day is filled with plenty of physical activity before relaxing with a book or glass of wine with friends and family. Rusk said she is blessed to have an amazing husband, children, sisters and girlfriends.
