Ross Schaefer was born in Richmond, Virginia where she watched her mother serve as the Executive Director for a homeless services organization. After completing her undergraduate degree at VCU, Ross served in an AmeriCorps program in Chicago, IL working with children experiencing homelessness. Since then, Ross has served as the Executive Director for multiple non-profits serving people experiencing homelessness and since 2014, has served in this role at Flagstaff Shelter Services.

Ross has received several community recognitions, most recently the Arizona Department of Housing named Ross the recipient of Advocate of the Year for 2024, NAU gave Ross the Community Award for the Commission on Status of Women and in 2023, Ross received the ATHENA Award from the Flagstaff Chamber of Commerce.

Ross serves on the Governor’s Interagency and Community Council on Homelessness and Housing, the City of Flagstaff’s Housing Commission, serves on the Board of Directors for the Arizona Housing Coalition and the Southwest Fair Housing Council, co-chair for the Coconino County LCEH, and a member of the Arizona Balance of State Governance Advisory Board. Ross is also currently working to get her Masters in Business Administration at University of North Carolina – Chapel Hill.

Since Ross joined Flagstaff Shelter Services, the organization has permanently housed over 1,000 individuals and families, provided year round emergency shelter for all who need it, and expanded from one to three locations. Under Ross’ leadership, the Arizona Department of Housing named Flagstaff Shelter Services the Housing Hero for Innovative Supportive Housing in 2015 and 2021. Flagstaff Shelter Services was also named Nonprofit of the Year in Social Services by AzBusiness Angels in 2019 and Organization of the Year in 2022 by the Arizona Daily Sun.