Shane Gillis, the popular comedian and podcaster, has two sisters: Kait Gillis (the elder) and Sarah Gillis (the younger) . Kait serves as Executive Director at the Brethren Housing Association and co-owns Nour Coffee in Mechanicsburg, Pennsylvania . Sarah works as a Production Designer at Carnegie Mellon University . Both sisters maintain private lives while remaining close to their famous brother and providing unwavering support throughout his career .
Meet Kait Gillis: Shane’s Elder Sister
What Does Kait Gillis Do for a Living?
Kait Gillis is the Executive Director at the Brethren Housing Association (BHA) , a non-profit organization committed to helping families in need . She joined BHA in May 2020 and provides vital direction and oversight to its core purpose, vision, and projects .
She also co-owns Nour Coffee, a café in Mechanicsburg that promotes inclusion and community connection, which she became co-owner of in October 2022 .
Kait’s Professional Background and Education
Kait brings impressive credentials to her leadership role. She earned her four-year degree in Corporate Communications from Susquehanna College in 2003, then completed her MBA at Villanova University in 2011 .
Before her current position, Kait built a diverse professional background:
- Media relations associate at Merrill Lynch (2003-2005)
- Transaction and acquisition facilitator at Preferred Land Investments (2005-2010)
- Deputy Press Secretary for the Wellness Branch (2012-2013)
- Communications Manager at the Human Services Division (2013-2017)
- VP of Communications at Mendoza Group (2017-2020)
Kait’s Business Ventures
In May 2020, Kait helped establish the Gillis Hanna Group, a mail-order store . More significantly, she co-founded Nouri’s Place, a nonprofit organization inspired by her daughter who has Down syndrome . The nonprofit’s first annual golf open in Dillsburg drew hundreds of participants in 2025 .
Kait’s Personal Life
Kait married Mena Hanna, a loan officer, in August 2016 . The couple lives in Mechanicsburg with their four children and two dogs . Despite their busy family life, they remain actively involved in the local community where both grew up.
Meet Sarah Gillis: Shane’s Younger Sister
What Does Sarah Gillis Do?
Sarah Gillis is Shane’s younger sister and works as a Production Designer at Carnegie Mellon University . In this creative role, she is responsible for planning the visual concept and aesthetics of the institution .
Like her brother Shane, Sarah attended Trinity High School in Mechanicsburg . She has also worked at Over All Fabulous Salon and Spa in Wexford, Pennsylvania, demonstrating versatility in her career path .
Sarah’s Personal Life
Sarah is married and has a son . She is often pictured with her husband and child at celebrations, family events, and local gatherings . The family remains actively involved in community activities and festivals in the Pittsburgh area .
Important Note: Not the SpaceX Astronaut
There is another prominent Sarah Gillis who is an engineer and astronaut at SpaceX, flew on the Polaris Dawn mission in September 2024, and became the youngest person to perform a spacewalk . This is a different person—the SpaceX Sarah Gillis is from Boulder, Colorado, born in 1994, and has no relation to comedian Shane Gillis .
The Gillis Family Background
Parents: Phil and Joan Gillis
The Gillis family has deep roots in Mechanicsburg, Pennsylvania . Parents Phil and Joan Gillis are high school sweethearts who grew up in the same neighborhood .
Phil Gillis works as a domain manager at Crompton Deals and graduated from Clarion College of Pennsylvania with a degree in Business Administration . Joan Gillis has spent her entire life in Mechanicsburg and enjoys spending quality time with her family .
Family Heritage
Shane has stated that a 23andMe DNA test showed his genetic ancestry to be over 90% Irish, with genetic matches in Dublin, Ireland, then Glasgow, Scotland . His paternal grandfather, Frank Gillis, played on Notre Dame’s offensive line in the late 1930s, establishing a family connection to Fighting Irish football that continues today through Shane’s passionate fandom .
Shane’s cousin, Ryan Gillis, also played for Notre Dame in the early 2000s . Shane’s father Phil appeared on Shane’s podcast to say “Happy Easter” in 2022, showing the strong father-son relationship .
How Old Are Shane Gillis Sisters?
The exact ages of Kait and Sarah Gillis are not publicly disclosed . However, based on their sibling order and Shane’s birth date of December 11, 1987, we can determine their relative ages :
- Kait Gillis is the elder sister, meaning she is older than Shane (born 1987)
- Sarah Gillis is the younger sister, meaning she is younger than Shane
Given that Shane was 36 years old as of 2024, Kait is at least 37, while Sarah is in her early-to-mid thirties .
How Close Is Shane with His Sisters?
Shane maintains a very close relationship with both Kait and Sarah . Despite his busy schedule performing stand-up comedy, recording the Matt and Shane’s Secret Podcast, and working on projects like Gilly and Keeves, he reserves time for family visits .
During the toughest moments in Shane’s career, including his brief hiring and subsequent firing from Saturday Night Live in 2019, both sisters stepped up as a strong support system . Their unwavering loyalty and encouragement helped him navigate the controversy and continue building his successful comedy career .
The three siblings share beautiful lifelong memories and are seen together during family social occasions and holidays . Their bond demonstrates the enduring support system that has helped Shane navigate the unpredictable world of comedy .
Conclusion
Shane Gillis sisters, Kait and Sarah, are accomplished professionals who have built impressive careers while maintaining strong family bonds . Kait leads as Executive Director at the Brethren Housing Association, co-owns Nour Coffee, founded Nouri’s Place nonprofit, and raises four children with her husband Mena . Sarah contributes her creative talents as a Production Designer at Carnegie Mellon University while enjoying family life with her husband and son .