Get to Know – Danielle Shanes

You recently took on a new and exciting role at TKO. Can you tell us a bit about TKO and your position there? What has the experience been like so far?

TKO is a premiere sports and entertainment company that brings together some of the most recognizable brands in the industry: WWE, UFC, Professional Bull Riders, IMG, and On Location. As VP of Benefits, I’ve lead our efforts to harmonize benefits and policies across these five companies following recent acquisitions. It’s a complex integration project spanning 20+ countries, and I collaborate closely with our HR, finance, and legal teams globally.

This role is perfect for me because I love building. We’re unifying five distinct companies, and I’ve had the opportunity to figure out our benefits approach from the ground up. That’s meant developing our benefits philosophy and guiding principles, then designing the actual benefits programs that reflect who we are as TKO.

The experience has been incredibly rewarding. What makes it meaningful is knowing that our work directly impacts thousands of employees and their families, and ultimately the impact they make on the business.

You’ve had such a rich career journey, including your time at the NBA. Looking back, what have been some of the most rewarding or defining moments of your professional path?

My time at the NBA was formative because I got to build from scratch there too. I worked on ideating what would engage employees and players with their benefits, participated in collective bargaining negotiations with two of the most recognizable leagues in sports, and co-led the COVID response for the company. People still mention remembering me on video regularly during that time, talking through health and safety protocols. That visibility during a crisis taught me the importance of clear, consistent communication when stakes are high.

What’s defined my career path has been seeking out complex challenges where I can build something meaningful. I’m energized by integration work, international expansion, and creating solutions from the ground up while keeping existing operations running smoothly. The work is always about balancing what employees need with what the business requires to succeed. My customer is ultimately the business, and the best benefits strategies support both business goals and employee wellbeing in ways that are sustainable and strategic.

You’ve been an active member and supporter of NEBGH for many years. From your perspective, what do you see as the value NEBGH brings to employers, and what excites you most about our new strategic direction?

NEBGH provides something invaluable: a community of benefits leaders who are willing to share what’s working, what’s not, and what’s coming next. We’re all constantly navigating vendor relationships, regulatory changes, and employee expectations. Having access to peer insights and best practices helps me make better decisions faster.

I’m a forward-thinking person, so NEBGH’s emphasis on healthcare innovation really resonates with me. The focus on value-based care, preventing and managing chronic diseases, and leveraging technology to improve outcomes speaks to where healthcare is headed. NEBGH is positioning itself as a thought leader that can bring together diverse stakeholders, cut through the noise, and help employers identify strategies that will actually move the needle. That’s exactly what we need right now.

Outside of work, we know you’re involved with your local food bank and love to travel. What inspires you to give back, and what’s a recent trip or experience that’s stayed with you?

I volunteer with Women Fighting Hunger, which supports the Community FoodBank of New Jersey. The need is more important than ever in our current environment (nearly 15% of children in NJ are food insecure). There’s something deep inside me that calls me to this cause. Whether it’s my work in benefits or volunteering at the food bank, I’m driven by a passion for improving the wellbeing of others. We are all part of the same community, and when we show up for each other, we create the kind of support system that helps people thrive.

Travel is my other passion. My favorite parts are experiencing nature and understanding other cultures. Recently in Dubai, I visited a mosque and was struck by the shared values that exist across different faiths and cultures. Those moments of connection stay with me and influence how I think about building inclusive workplaces back home.

TKO represents some of the most recognizable brands in sports and entertainment. Have you had the chance to attend any live events, and what has that experience been like?

I’ve had the opportunity to attend several events, including a WWE event this summer and a PBR event this fall. I love sports, so being part of these experiences has been incredible. What strikes me every time is the production quality and the passion of the fans. These aren’t just events; they’re experiences that people remember for years.

Seeing our brands in action gives me a deeper understanding of what we’re building at TKO. Behind every spectacular event are talented people, often with international travel and demanding schedules. Understanding the business from the ground level, seeing what our teams deliver and what our fans experience, makes me better at what I do.