Born and raised in Juneau, Alaska, Shannon Mason is a proud, lifelong Alaskan. From the Kaagwaantaan (Eagle/Wolf) clan on her mother's side, bearing the Tlingit name Kaalkeis' sée, and through her father with the Lukaax.adi (Raven/Sockeye) clan from Haines, Shannon was raised immersed in Alaskan culture, enjoying sport fishing with her father and cherishing the state's abundant natural resources.

Having pursued a bachelor's degree in communications in New York City, Shannon felt a strong calling back to her Alaskan home. She kickstarted her career by working at Tlingit & Haida, where her passion for her home state grew. In 2021, she became the Deputy Press Secretary for Governor Mike Dunleavy, furthering her commitment to serving Alaska. Subsequently, in 2023, she assumed the role of Communications Director in Congresswoman Mary Peltola's office before bringing her expertise to the Alaska Department of Fish & Game. Throughout her professional endeavors, Shannon remains dedicated to utilizing her skills in communication and her profound love for Alaska to contribute to effectively managing the state's valuable resources and actively serving her community with pride.