About
Who We Are
Get to Know Us
Shawn Gist established the Go Shawn Go Foundation in 2025. Shawn, a former athlete and sports enthusiast, was diagnosed with Primary Progressive Multiple Sclerosis (MS) in 2019.
After experiencing a rapid progression of his condition — transitioning from athletic competition to using a wheelchair in just five years — they created the foundation to support young families facing similar challenges with life-threatening medical conditions in Western New York.
Our organization is committed to serving communities in the Western New York, the Finger Lakes, and the Southern Tier Regions.
Our Purpose
Our foundation focues on five key initiatives:
FOOD:
ACCESSIBLE NUTRITION FOR EVERY ABILITY
Many families rely on fast food or instant meals due to fatigue, limited mobility, or time constraints. Our foundation ensures they can access nutritious, easy-to-prepare meals that do not require extensive steps.
SHELTER:
SAFE, ACCESSIBLE HOMES FOR ALL
Empower families to transform their homes into spaces that are safe, accessible, and supportive of independence. We will provide financial support for accessibility modifications and smart technology.
OUTDOORS:
ACCESS TO NATURE, ADVENTURE, AND PLAY
Our goal is to ensure everyone, regardless of mobility, can explore the outdoors. We want to build accessible infrastructure, host inclusive events, and secure adaptive equipment through mobility partnerships.
FREEDOM:
MEDICAL DEBT RELIEF FOR FAMILIES
Provide financial breathing room so families can focus on health, healing, and long-term independence. Our goal is to offer relief for up to one year's worth of medical debt, determined by need.
RESOURCE:
A DIGITAL HUB FOR ACCESSIBLE LIVING
We want to empower users with one trusted, customizable platform for navigating life with a disability. Our goal is to develop a Go Shawn Go mobile app and website offering trusted accessibility listings and resources.
Our Leadership
President & Founder
Shawn Gist is the President and co-founder of the Go Shawn Go Foundation. A dedicated husband, father, and lifelong advocate for community, Shawn brings both professional expertise and personal resilience to his role. With over a decade of experience in food safety and quality assurance leadership at companies including Wegmans Food Markets and OFD Foods, Shawn has built a career on accountability, precision, and care. His journey with Progressive MS, including surviving a life-changing flare in 2024, has inspired him to channel his strength and determination into helping others. Through the foundation, Shawn is committed to supporting families impacted by disability by providing resources, adaptive equipment, and community-driven events that bring hope and accessibility to everyday life.
Chief Financial Officer
Ian Burns brings over a decade of leadership and entrepreneurial experience to the Go Shawn Go Foundation board. As co-founder of Paird, he built and grew a boutique recruiting agency into a two-time honoree on Oregon’s Top 100 Fastest Growing Companies list. Ian’s expertise spans vendor management, procurement, contracts negotiation, stakeholder management, client development, and strategic hiring. His strong operational leadership and commitment to purposeful growth align closely with the foundation’s mission to support families impacted by disability, making him a valued board member and advocate.
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Chief Marketing Officer
Megan Morsch has nearly two decades of experience driving growth and transformation across public, private, and nonprofit sectors, Megan has built her career on uniting strategy with storytelling. She currently serves as Director of Marketing & Business Development at Highland Planning, where she spearheads innovative public engagement initiatives and business growth strategies for communities across New York State. Previously, she led marketing teams at MTX Group and RTS, overseeing digital transformations, national campaigns, and award-winning rebranding efforts. Passionate about social good, Megan brings her expertise in marketing, community engagement, and organizational leadership to help the foundation expand its reach and impact.
By supporting these families in our communities, we aim to transform the challenges of disability into opportunities for growth, adventure, and connection. Together, we can help families continue to "go" despite the obstacles they face.
Join us! When we move forward together, there's no limit to where we can go.
Our Mission
The Go Shawn Go Foundation is dedicated to empowering families affected by Multiple Sclerosis and similar disabilities through financial support, unforgettable experiences, enhanced mobility solutions, and mental health resources. Founded by Shawn and Kierra Gist after their personal journey with MS, we understand the unexpected challenges families face when a loved one is diagnosed with a disability.
Our Vision
We believe that a disability diagnosis shouldn't limit a family's quality of life, adventures, or financial security. The Go Shawn Go Foundation envisions communities where families affected by MS and similar disabilities receive comprehensive support that addresses not just physical needs, but emotional and experiential ones as well.
My diagnosis wasn't the end of my story—it was the beginning of a new chapter where we discovered strength we never knew we had. - Shawn Gist