Shafin is the Vice President of External Affairs and Innovation at the Beach at UNO, the research and technology foundation supporting the University of New Orleans. Shafin collaborates with university stakeholders to build programs and facilities to support academic/industry collaborations and faculty and student innovation. The Beach recently launched the Louisiana Wind Energy Hub at UNO to support research and innovation and new workforce development utilizing assets and expertise at UNO for the burgeoning wind industry in Louisiana, hosting wind focused workshops and roundtable discussions, launching several industry collaborative research projects, and a wind scholars’ program. Shafin is Oceantic Network’s 2023 Ventus Award winner for Talent Management leadership.