Dr. Shai L. Butler is an author, speaker, connector, strategist, and respected leader in the higher education industry. With over 25 years of experience, she has served in senior leadership roles including Chief Student Affairs Officer, Chief Advancement and External Affairs Officer, Chief Communications Officer, and Chief Diversity Officer, across public, private, and community college sectors. Dr. Butler brings a rich, intersectional perspective to her work and is a sought-after consultant and keynote speaker on leadership, equity, and student engagement.

She recently joined SUNY Delhi as the Vice President of Student Life, where she continues to champion student-centered initiatives and inclusive excellence. She is the author of the memoir Better. Not Perfect: From Hot Mess to Life Success, and host of the podcast by the same name, where she inspires audiences to embrace authenticity, resilience, and personal growth over perfectionism.