Shannon O’Brien is an American educator and politician serving as a member of the Montana Senate from the 46th district. She assumed office on January 4, 2021.
Born in Portland, Oregon, and raised on Orcas Island, Washington, O’Brien graduated from Orcas Island High School. She earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in political science from the University of Washington in 1991, a Master of Education from Gonzaga University, and an EdD from the University of Montana.
From 1994 to 1998, O’Brien was a history teacher at Stanwood High School in Stanwood, Washington. She was later an administrator at the Early College for Native Youth. From 2013 to 2015, she was an education policy advisor for Governor Steve Bullock. She was the dean of the Missoula College–University of Montana from 2015 to 2017.
O’Brien was elected to the Montana Senate in November 2020. She has also served as a minority whip for Senate Democrats in 2023.
