Litton Recognized as a Visionary and Trailblazer for Her Leadership and Expansion of Employee Ownership Across US
(NASHVILLE, TN) March 5, 2026 — 3LS Inc., an employee-owned family of companies, announced today that 3LS Professional Services CEO and Founder of 5by5 Agency, Shannon Litton, has been named to Ragan’s Top Women in Communications Class of 2026. The Top Women in Communications Awards recognizes the industry’s most influential leaders across corporate, agency, nonprofit and public-sector communications–celebrating women whose leadership, strategy and vision are shaping the future of the communications profession.
3LS Professional Services, CEO, Shannon Litton, named to Ragan’s Top Women in Communications Awards Class of 2026 and recognized at an Awards Luncheon at City Winery in New York City on March 3, 2026.
Litton joined communications leaders from across the country and globe at Ragan’s Top Women in Communications Awards Luncheon on March 3 at City Winery in New York City. She was recognized in the Visionary & Trailblazer category for her work leading and championing the expansion of employee ownership across the US in her role at 3LS and as Board Chair of the Tennessee Center for Employee Ownership. She joined leaders from Bobbie, Syneos Health, Nextdoor, Sotheby’s, Entrada Therapeutics, 3M, Inovalon and City of Greeley, Colorado in receiving the award.
Shannon Litton poses for a photo with her fellow Visionary and Trailblazer honorees. From left to right: Katie Conover, Syneos Health; Kristina Helb, Sotheby’s International Realty; Winna Ironkwe, City of Greenlee, CO; Whitney Swistock, Inovalon; Shannon Litton, 3LS Professional Services; and Monica Caponigro (Khattar), Bobbie.
“I’m so honored by this recognition and to be in the company of such incredible women leaders, particularly as we celebrate Women’s History Month and prepare for International Women’s Day on March 8,” said Litton. “I’m surrounded by women who are blazing trails, elevating the industry, shifting narratives and moving their organizations—and the world—forward. They, along with my loved ones, and our incredible team and family of companies at 3LS, inspire me to keep raising the bar for what’s possible.”
3LS Professional Services CEO, Shannon Litton
Litton has spent the last 25 years serving and driving growth changemakers. She founded multiple companies during that time, including 5by5 Agency, which earned five spots on the Inc 5000 list, was named one of Nashville Business Journal’s Largest Advertising Agencies and
a two-time Best Places to Work. The agency became 100% employee-owned when it was acquired by 3LS Inc. in 2025. With the acquisition, Litton was appointed CEO of 3LS Professional Services and now oversees the company’s rapidly-growing professional services portfolio which includes ESOP advisory firm, 40 Million Owners; IT support firm, Intrust IT; 5by5 Agency and most recently, 3LS Solutions.
3LS CEO, Eric Strickland, says that while Litton is most-known for serving changemakers, she is herself a changemaker.
3LS Inc. CEO, Eric Strickland
“Shannon is the definition of a changemaker,” said Strickland. “She is passionate about doing good and growing good in the world, as evidenced by everything that touches. We are thrilled to see her receive this award and distinction from Ragan, because it’s representative of what we at 3LS witness day-in-and-day-out from her: she’s a visionary and trailblazer working to build better futures and legacies for changemakers everywhere.”
To request an interview with Litton or additional photos from the Awards Luncheon, please contact kristin@thenewfashioned.co.
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About 3LS, Inc.
3LS, Inc. is a rapidly growing family of 26 employee-owned companies, with nearly 1,400 employees across the country, unified in their mission to empower good. With roots in health and human services, today 3LS invests in quality child welfare and behavioral healthcare services, transformative technology, and exceptional professional services — driving growth and impact for similar changemaker organizations and generational opportunity for its employee owners. Visit www.3ls.com to learn more.
About Ragan Communications and PR DailyRagan Communications has been delivering trusted news, training and intelligence for more than 60 years to internal and external communicators, HR professionals and business leaders. Its daily news sites, PRDaily.com and Ragan.com, are read by more than 600,000 internal and external communicators monthly. Ragan’s Communications Leadership Council is one of the fastest-growing membership groups for communications executives, and its conferences, webinars and workshops are attended by more than 5,000 communicators a year. Ragan Training is the leading learning portal among communicators, offering more than 800 hours of training and development for communicators. Ragan is also the producer of Communications Week, which is held each November. Headquartered in Chicago, with team members spanning the country and loyal customers worldwide. Visit us at ragan.com.