Women’s History Month: Shauna Rush

In celebration of Women’s History Month, Robinson Bradshaw is highlighting women from the firm throughout March. Meet Shauna Rush, professional services manager.

Describe what you do at Robinson Bradshaw.

For the past four years I’ve had the privilege to work as the supervisor of the Document Services department, a fabulous group of people who’ve permitted me to become a part of their team! I help create and edit documents in a variety of MS Office applications, but I most enjoy the one-on-one interactions with members of the firm wherein I problem solve or troubleshoot. Whether that is helping with a document or assisting someone to locate the perfect block of days to make their vacation most pleasurable, I’m happiest when I end my interactions with a satisfied person on the other side. I’m hopeful that my new role as professional services manager will allow me to have more such interactions and the ability to offer myself in a greater capacity.

What do you most enjoy about your job?

I have always enjoyed troubleshooting because there are several components at work: discovering the root of a mystery, the achievement of fixing the issue and, ultimately, making someone’s day better (if only in a small way). Whether the fix is as minor as removing an errant page break or discovering and creating a lengthy macro, I’m filled with a great sense of satisfaction when I know I’ve made someone’s life easier.

What advice would you give a younger version of yourself?

“Quit all that stressing and drink some water.” 

If I could ask the original Mr. Peabody and his boy, Sherman, to borrow their “Wayback” machine (if you’re under a certain age, Google it), would I travel through the space/time continuum to physically smack myself for all the worrying I’d done about things beyond my control? That’s a definite “No,” because my face would be irreparably disfigured. I would, however, tell myself what I share with others after many years of life experience: You cannot control anyone other than yourself. You only control YOUR four walls and the space in between – specifically, from the front to the rear of your head and whatever space resides between your ears. That’s it. The rest is all a bit of influence. Try to enjoy the ride on everything else. As for staying hydrated, it keeps the wrinkles away and supports your organs. That’s a good thing!

Who is a female role model you admire, and why?

I’m currently fangirling over Amanda Gorman, the country’s first National Youth Poet Laureate. I identify with this young woman who felt “different” than her peers at a young age, immersed herself in books and discovered her voice through writing. Her expression is personal yet it reaches beyond her quasi-millennial life to transcend generational and cultural boundaries. I’m confident we will continue to hear about this vibrant jewel of a woman for decades as she works for positive change in our society.

Tell us a little-known fact about yourself.

About six years ago I had an aviary with 23 budgies/parakeets. It didn’t start off that way and, I assure you, it wasn’t intentional. While purchasing food at the pet store for the zoo I already had at home, I foolishly fell in love with three unusually colored budgies (one male, two female). A few months later, nature took its course and our family began to grow. After repeatedly witnessing the miracle of birth via hatching, I had 23 parakeets, three dogs and a 75-gallon fish tank. Yep. I love animals. (Just not the ones that slither on the ground. THAT is a well-known fact.)