Education
Bachelor’s Degree in Geography with Emphasis in Geology, University of Wisconsin Whitewater (2025)
Spanish Minor and GIS Certificate
"It’s important to take something complex and make it understandable, useful, or helpful for someone else.”
Shawn Ager
Place Analyst
Planning & Development Studio
Shawn serves as a Place Analyst at Place Foundry, where he transforms complex data into actionable insights that guide strategic decisions for communities and property owners. Since joining the firm in 2024, Shawn has focused on GIS analysis, market research, and community engagement support that enhances growth, accessibility, and livability.
Shawn's work bridges the technical and the human. He analyzes demographic trends, maps spatial relationships, and conducts site development due diligence that informs master planning and repositioning strategies. His strong GIS skills paired with exceptional attention to detail allow him to translate information from multiple perspectives into clear, visual insights—whether through thorough reports or maps that tell a story.
Initially interested in geography in a general sense, Shawn became fascinated by how place and location shape everything from logistics to marketing across industries. His background includes municipal planning work with the City of Janesville. He's particularly proud of his contributions to the Danville Comprehensive Plan, where he jumped in mid-project to help create Land Use Maps that now guide the community's future.
Outside of work, Shawn is a dedicated baseball fan who attends games whenever possible. He's also been learning Spanish for the past eight or so years, driven by a love for the language, culture, and history. His philosophy on growth is simple: "Don't aim to be the best — aim to be better than you were yesterday." It's an approach that keeps him focused on steady improvement and continual learning.