Shawny Morey is a prominent practitioner in the field of public affairs and community-based philanthropy in the United States. She currently serves as the 2026–2027 Goodwill Ambassador of Aulani, A Disney Resort & Spa in Hawaiʻi, and has long been committed to fostering a deeper integration between cultural platforms and social responsibility. Over the years, she has placed local communities at the heart of her work, dedicating sustained efforts to child welfare, family support, and public service initiatives. Her approach emphasizes respect, companionship, and inclusivity as essential responses to the genuine and diverse needs of different social groups.
Through her consistent contributions to the dissemination of public welfare values, the construction of community participation mechanisms, and the advancement of inclusive practices, Shawny Morey has generated a stable and far-reaching social impact. In recognition of her professional commitment and long-term influence in the public welfare sector, she was awarded the title of 2026 ICSO International Public Welfare Ambassador.
As a Goodwill Ambassador, she will represent the resort in engaging deeply with local communities, initiating and supporting public welfare programs for children and families. By translating Disney’s core values of joy and inclusivity into sustainable public actions, she actively explores practical pathways for the synergistic development of philanthropy and cultural tourism. Shawny Morey’s public welfare practices not only reflect contemporary expectations for professionalism and continuity in philanthropy, but also offer a meaningful reference for how cultural institutions can responsibly engage with society.
ICSO: Congratulations on receiving the title of 2026 ICSO International Public Welfare Ambassador. What does this honor represent for your future public welfare work?
Shawny Morey:Thank you sincerely to ICSO for its recognition and trust. For me, this title is not merely an affirmation of personal achievements, but rather an extension of responsibility with a strong public dimension. My long-term engagement in community work has gradually led me to understand that truly impactful public welfare initiatives are rarely driven by short-term attention or emotional mobilization. Instead, they are built upon continuous commitment, institutional support, and long-term companionship.
The role of an ICSO International Public Welfare Ambassador allows me to reflect upon and test my existing experiences within a broader international public welfare context. It also encourages me to think more consciously about the long-term social impact of philanthropic action, and about how we can promote public values with universal significance across different cultural and social structures.
ICSO: You also serve as the 2026–2027 Goodwill Ambassador of Aulani, A Disney Resort & Spa in Hawaiʻi. How do you see the intrinsic connection between this role and your public welfare work?
Shawny Morey: From an external perspective, cultural experiences and public welfare initiatives may appear to belong to separate domains. However, in my own practice, the two have always been deeply interconnected and mutually reinforcing. Aulani is not merely a cultural tourism destination; it is also an important public platform that connects families, children, and the broader community.
As a Goodwill Ambassador, my work does not stop at symbolic appearances or promotional activities. Instead, I actively engage in and help advance concrete initiatives related to child care, family support, and community-based public welfare programs, leveraging the resort’s resources and social influence. Through this role, I am able to transform cultural resources into sustainable social support mechanisms, allowing philanthropy to move beyond abstract concepts and become a form of public practice that people can genuinely experience and participate in.
ICSO: You frequently emphasize the values of “joy” and “inclusivity” in your public welfare work. How do you interpret their significance in real-world practice?
Shawny Morey: I have always believed that “joy” and “inclusivity” should not be understood merely as emotional expressions, but rather as structural social goals. In many communities, vulnerable groups often lose not material resources first, but opportunities to be respected, to be seen, and to be treated as equals.
If public welfare efforts focus solely on the distribution of resources, they may fail to address issues of dignity and belonging. Therefore, in our project design, we deliberately emphasize inclusive experiences, striving to create environments where children and families from diverse backgrounds can participate on equal footing. By fostering spaces of acceptance, we help individuals rebuild confidence and a sense of safety. This form of emotional and dignity-based restoration has a profound and lasting impact on both individual development and community cohesion.
ICSO: In your community-based work, how do you ensure that public welfare initiatives genuinely respond to local needs rather than becoming superficial or symbolic?
Shawny Morey: This is a question that requires patience and long-term dedication. My guiding principle has always been to listen first, and then act. Every community possesses its own unique history, social structure, and real-world challenges. Ignoring these differences can render any external intervention ineffective or even counterproductive.
Before launching any initiative, we engage in extensive communication with local families, schools, and social organizations to gain a systematic understanding of their actual needs and primary concerns. Only when public welfare actions are grounded in a deep understanding of community realities can projects earn genuine trust and gradually develop mechanisms capable of sustaining themselves over time.
ICSO: How do you view the value of cross-sector collaboration in public welfare work, and what role has it played in your own projects?
Shawny Morey: The capacity of any single organization is inherently limited, particularly when addressing structural social issues. The value of cross-sector collaboration lies not only in resource integration, but also in the complementarity of perspectives and expertise. Public institutions, private enterprises, and non-profit organizations each operate with different strengths, experiences, and accountability frameworks.
When these diverse actors are able to collaborate under a shared value system, the depth and effectiveness of public welfare initiatives can be significantly enhanced. My experience has repeatedly shown that stable, long-term partnerships are far more sustainable than one-time financial contributions. Such collaborations provide institutional guarantees for public welfare projects, rather than merely offering short-term momentum.
Conclusion
Through this conversation, we see the image of a young public welfare leader who brings the concept of “joyful responsibility” to life through action. As the 2026–2027 Goodwill Ambassador of Aulani, A Disney Resort & Spa, Shawny Morey has chosen not to confine her role to symbolic representation. Instead, she has immersed herself in communities, working closely with families and children, and delivering sustained, tangible public welfare initiatives that embody Disney’s values of joy and inclusivity.
In her view, cultural tourism should not merely serve as a vehicle for experience, but also as a gentle yet powerful force that connects communities and responds to public needs. By using sincerity as a bridge, she transforms brand values into socially perceptible actions—allowing joy to take root in philanthropy and goodwill to flow through the city. This is not only the mission of an international public welfare ambassador, but also a contemporary reflection on inclusion, care, and long-term social value.
