Meet Shannon Lundgren

From Warren Buffett to Ivy League Matchmaker

My favorite investment is love.

Shannon Lundgren smiling facing the camera while wearing a blue blazer
Blue circular logo with white letter 'S' in the center, surrounded by the text 'SHANNON'S CIRCLE'

I never thought I’d become a matchmaker. In fact, if you’d told me back in my Wall Street days that my life’s work would be helping exceptional people find love, I probably would have laughed out loud - and gone back to analyzing financial models.

But life, like love, has a funny way of unfolding and finding one’s calling.

I grew up on Long Island, the first in my family to go to college, earning my degree at UC Berkeley and my MBA at Harvard Business School. Along the way, I discovered a knack for seeing potential — in businesses, in opportunities, and most importantly, in people.

That knack came in handy when Warren Buffett came to speak at Harvard. After his talk, I walked up to him, introduced myself, and when I said goodbye, I gave him a letter expressing interest in working for him. It worked — I moved out to Omaha, spending several years in leadership roles at Berkshire Hathaway companies, learning from the best.

My love life was another story. At age 25, I moved to Omaha leaving a vibrant dating life at Harvard to weekends of cookie exchanges and dinners with married couples.  My dating life was nonexistent.  After 5 years in Omaha, as I was about to turn 30, I knew I had another dream to pursue – to be in the city I love with singles more like me.  In 1999, I moved to San Francisco. 

Shannon at the wedding of one of her clients

From Corporate Life to Cupid

Like so many accomplished professionals, I spent years focused on building my career, with my personal life quietly taking a back seat. When I finally turned my attention to dating, I discovered what so many of my clients now feel — dating as a successful adult is surprisingly hard.

It’s not that there aren’t options. It’s tough to find the right kind of match — someone who understands your world, who’s equally ambitious, curious, and kind, and who’s looking for something real.

After I met my husband at a dot.com start-up (see My Love Story), I still loved hearing about my friends' dating lives.  I also enjoyed connecting people for business or for love.

In 2012, a friend told me to check out the latest Harvard Business School Alumni magazine. In it was a story about a HBS alumna who went on to be a bestselling author and matchmaker. Best of all, she had a bootcamp to teach others how to be matchmakers. I was at a period of burnout in my corporate job, so I said to myself “Let’s sign up”!

That experience lit a spark. I learned about the fascinating matchmaking industry and took on my first client, who ended up being my first official matchmaking success love story. I’ve never looked back.

  • Shannon Lundgren with Warren Buffet

    Reunited with Warren Buffett in 2018 on my visit to Omaha.

  • Shannon Lundgren with John Gray

    Met the famous author, John Gray, many years ago. He has been a friend and a mentor over the years.

  • Harvard Business School building with a prominent red-brick facade, white columns, and a central cupola, with a sign in the foreground.

    Enjoy giving back to my Alma Mater by serving on the HBS Northern California Club Board and volunteering at Reunion.

  • Shannon Lundgren speaking at a Harvard conference

    I spoke at Harvard Business School in 2024 about “Connections & How to Expand your Social Circle”

  • Shannon Lundgren with Tim Ferris

    Met Tim Ferriss at a local event in San Francisco

Bride and groom holding hands, bride in lace wedding dress with a long veil, outdoor setting, black and white photo.

The Numbers Speak for Themselves

For more than a decade, I’ve had the privilege of helping exceptional singles find lasting love — and the results have been extraordinary.

82 marriages (and counting!)
14 babies born to Shannon’s Circle couples
Hundreds of lives changed through meaningful, lasting relationships

These aren’t just statistics to me — they’re the reason I do this work. Watching my clients walk down the aisle, build families, and create the kind of partnerships they once thought were impossible is the greatest joy of my career.

MY PROCESS

What Makes My Approach Different

I’m not just your matchmaker — I’m a partner in writing your love story.

I work with intellectually curious, successful singles. My clients are CEOs, founders, physicians, investors, scientists, venture capitalists and creatives — people who’ve built extraordinary lives and are ready to share them with someone equally exceptional.

They want more than just someone who is “attractive” or someone just to “hang out” with. They want a true partner.

  • The first step is to determine if I can help you and if we’re a good fit. This is done in a 1:1 consultation over zoom or in-person. As I say, “The first match is with your matchmaker”.

  • Once you’re a client, before I match you with anyone, I get to know who you are — not just your resume, but your quirks, your values, and what lights you up.

  • I don’t believe in the “volume dating” approach. My focus is on quality fit matches for you. Every introduction is thoughtfully selected to fit you on multiple levels — mind, heart, and lifestyle.

  • As you go on first dates, when we have constructive feedback, I give it — so you’re not just dating, you’re growing into the kind of partner you want to be.

  • As a connector with strong roots in Harvard, UC Berkeley, and the Bay Area’s professional scene, my network is intentionally high-caliber — a blend of brains, ambition, and warmth.

FEATURED IN

Shannon and her family with the Golden Gate Bridge in the background.

My Own Love Story

If you’re wondering whether I practice what I preach — absolutely. I met my husband at work, proving once again that love often finds you when you’re not looking (but you are ready). Today, we’re raising our daughter in the Bay Area, golfing together as a family on weekends, and soaking up all the joy that comes from a life built on love.

WHAT I BELIEVE

  • Investing in finding love is the most valuable investment you’ll ever make.

  • Kindness is the key to great relationships. It’s a non-negotiable value of mine.

  • Going for what you want — takes courage, and that courage changes everything.

  • Love isn’t about being perfect — it’s about being real and finding someone who loves you as you are.

Join the Circle

If you’re ready to meet someone who sees you, understands you, and inspires you, I’d love to help. Let’s find your person.