Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Shana Boutté. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Alright, Shana thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. We’d love to hear about the things you feel your parents did right and how those things have impacted your career and life.

My parents were pioneers in fighting for a disabled child. Resources were not available, nor was adequate testing. Public school lied to my parents about disability law, which came into being in 1972. Their belief in my abilities was, and continues to be, the foundation for accomplishments, which are still deemed impossible by most who specialize in developmental and learning disabilities. The program I developed in the 1990’s is what I used on myself to see what works, and it is still what I use with disabled clients, because it is whole person-centered and mindful-based.

Shana, before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?

At age six, I started assisting a neighbor friend with intellectual disabilities, and by age 12, I was a peer counselor. My undergraduate degree is Humanities and Human Sciences, and my masters degree is Mindfulness Based Transpersonal Counseling Psychology. I was in Special Education starting in kindergarten, without my parent’s knowledge or consent, and I remained in remedial classes and resource programs through senior year. My parents and I were told from the time I was in kindergarten through senior year I would not graduate or attend college. In college, I was told by a professor I really liked to drop out of school and attend trade school. For 14 consecutive years, I was denied access to grad school because of having autism, a diagnosis received at age 26, and also for having more than 13 learning disabilities. “Oh, you want to persue counseling and work with people with autism? That is wonderful. Wait. You have autism? We don’t take peopl like you in our program.” These words are forever etched in my mind and heart by the dean of psychology department where I applied for graduate school, the same school where I received my BA degree. When I was accepted at Naropa University, my top school choice, I completed my masters with a 3.9 grade point average. Education and career happened without ever receiving any autism services and through utlilizing the program I developed for intellectual, developmental, and trauma disabilities.
Facing decades of discrimination for being disabled is how I became a Certified Cornell University Americans with Disabilities Act Instructor, and instead of teaching under the Cornell title, I use this education as an advocate and consultant for the disabled. The catalyst for this education was my attendence of Wright’s Law Training, which I received by the attorney who developed this advocacy model, Peter Wright.
As far as my work with the United Nations, these experiences allow me to be a global voice for the disabled, and as an Ambassador of Peace and an Ambassador of Humanity (ECOSOC), I have platforms to educate leaders and encourage disadvantaged and differently-abled people with whom I identify. Some accolades and achievements which allow me to work in this global position include humanitarian awards such as the Nova Award through the United Nations, where I am the first person born in the United States to receive this highest honor, and two from President Joseph Biden, and Americorps National Humanitaian Gold Award. Being in the Marquis Who’s Who 2024 allowed space for me to be admitted into the Top 100 Registry 2025. From this, I am named Top 100 Registry Mental Health Professional 2025, which was a total surprise when the plaque arrived in the mail. A few trainings which led to this achievement are Interactive Metronome Certified, Licensed Weight Loss Coach, Master Life Coach, and Dialectical Behavior Therapy Facilitator Training.
Modeling is one of my creative outlets, and I started this path in 1983. Because of severe bullying and struggles from disabities, my parents placed me in a self-improvement class with a Ford Agency model. We learned etiquette, make up basics, and it was an intensive six week modeling workshop. This led to my first runway show, which I independently attained while shopping at Saks Fifth Avenue in Houston. That spring, I walked in their runway show. Work never stopped, and I am so blessed and grateful to continue to work in this field. My work in media has really helped keep modeling a relevant part of my world.
Music industry is also a field where I have worked many years and continue to pursue endeavors. It is wonderful being able to bless others in their dreams and goals while watching out for safety and wellness of those I refer and assist. Dabbling with vocals and song writing, among other artistic adventures is new territory for me and am really having fun with the expressive side of myself combined with imaginiations of artists with whom I venture.

What’s been the most effective strategy for growing your clientele?

Being authentic and a strong listener is the best way to grow clientele. It is also invaluable to recognize that while I am an expert of developmental, Intellectual, and trauma disabilities, clients are the experts of themselves.
Volunteer work is a huge part of my life and contributes to honors I receive. For me, it is incredible to witness what God is doing in creating paths which could never exist in the tangible world of living with limits. I am grateful to be an expample of His love in action as both an employee and volunteer. With receiving more awards, accolades, and through volunteer work, clientele grows.
For example, receiving the Nova Award continues to be astonishing, becuasse it is an honor lifting disadvantaged women in STEM careers in remote villages across the globe. Many of the women promoted have never had access to a cell phone or received proper medical care ever. Technology allows these opportunities for the first time by doctors being available through online assistance. Once women see a clinician virtually, they can learn this technology, even when they do not have cultural or religious rights to finish junior high or high school. With this access, they can marry later, not as children, and grow into careers. Financial independence is truly empowering and liberating. This is just one example of what is honored through Nova. It’s much deeper and is considered the Academy Awards of United Nations Humanitarian work being honored.
Having presidential awards for humanitarian work is also beyond what I can imagine. How do presidents know who I am or work I do? But President Biden does! Being honored at such a level is not a goal I ever dreamed of setting.
Simply, I am a person who realizes I was told I would never succeed and would sack groceries 20 hours a week for $5.00 an hour and live with my parents until they die, then go to a state hospital until I die. This is how “professionals” and society view me, and this is the potential for a best life. I was 22 when I first heard this from professionals. Any accomplishments are miracles in my world. The more “success” there is in my life, the smaller I am and bigger God is.

Do you think you’d choose a different profession or specialty if you were starting now?

The work I do is for the world, and there is nothing else I could do. Working on sustainable development goals is what I have done throughout my life, since I was a child, and doing this through ECOSOC is not what I imagined, though I had a vision in a dream of standing in the General Assembly and speaking at the UN at age 18. This dream made no sense at the time. Helping disabled people is also what I have done since I was a child. Also, I started modleing at age 11, because that was a creative outlet I was drawn to, like music and visual art are, and have been. It is great having creative ways to earn income, which also build business for others. There are many forms of helping relationships, and I thoroughly enjoy diversity of what this can be.
Diversity includes nonprofits, like Betty Bubbles, where I am on the board of directors. We provide cleaning work for women survivors of domestic violence. Some of us are survivors of DV. My first presentation at the United Nations was about survival a program called Partnership Protection, which some women’s centers and shelters have implemented.
Colorado Goat Walkabouts is also a nonprofit where I am a boardmember. We provide services for IDD community and addiction recovery, as well as memory care and aging population.
There are other nonprofits and rescues where I volunteer.
Regarding clients, many of my work clients are survivors of trafficking, and I do specialize in sexuality with disabilities, particularly autism. Sexuality with disabiltiites is what I have specialized in 20 years and would. do over and over again given a choice. It is a real calling. Helping the IDT disabiltiy community is my life’s work, and I never plan to retire, because work is not a job. It is joy. Most days I say I would rather be at work than any given amusement park, because I am so happy when I am with clients. IF I ever did, retire, I would work with traumatized animals, like maybe orpahned elephants at a refuge. All beings deserve love unconditionally, and there is no way to stop being and doing love, so truly, retirement just is not what I see in the future. Helping, validating, and doing God’s love is what I see for the rest of this life. What this looks like is limitless.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.shanaboutte.com
• Instagram: @shanaboutte
• Facebook: shana.boutte
• Linkedin: Ambassador Shana Boutté
• Twitter: @boutte_shana
• Youtube: @shanaboutte63

Image Credits

Sassy Knot Photography
Collette Susman
Trish Taylor Thomas
Rustic Knot Photography
Bill Murf and Associates