Michael Shepherd Email & Phone Number

Orange County, California, United States

Orange County, California, United States

As the Senior Manager of Community Strategies at Orange County United Way in Orange County, California, I have been dedicated to making a meaningful impact in my role since June 2023. Over the past 5 months, I have successfully overseen a diverse portfolio of external initiatives aimed at addressing the critical issue of homelessness in our community. My responsibilities have encompassed raising awareness, fostering collaboration with key community partners, and advocating for sustainable housing solutions. Here are some key highlights of my work:◆ Led and managed a diverse portfolio of external initiatives focused on homelessness awareness and education.◆ Cultivated and nurtured collaborative relationships with community partners to maximize our collective impact.◆ Actively engaged in advocacy efforts to promote and support innovative housing solutions for vulnerable populations.◆ Demonstrated collaborative leadership by guiding cross-functional teams toward shared objectives and outcomes.◆ Utilized social media communication strategies to amplify our message and engage with a wider audience.◆ Developed and delivered training programs to enhance the knowledge and skills of team members and community stakeholders.◆ Spearheaded community outreach campaigns to connect with individuals and organizations passionate about ending homelessness.◆ Played a pivotal role in shaping and implementing data-driven strategies for measuring the impact of our initiatives.◆ Leveraged my expertise to identify emerging trends and best practices in addressing homelessness within the region.◆ Effectively liaised with local government agencies and policymakers to advocate for policies that support housing stability.

Orange County, California, United States

During my tenure as the Housing Advocacy Program Manager at Orange County United Way from May 2022 to June 2023, I played a pivotal role in driving change and addressing homelessness in Orange County, California. With a focus on community engagement and strategic collaboration, I dedicated myself to building a network of Housing Champion advocates and providing expertise to various initiatives aimed at ending homelessness.◆ Led the development and support of a network of Housing Champion advocates across Orange County, empowering local residents to take an active role in addressing housing challenges.◆ Collaborated with United to End Homelessness to provide critical expertise and guidance, contributing to the success of collaborative partnerships.◆ Implemented effective community organizing strategies to mobilize volunteers and community members in advocating for housing solutions.◆ Managed and coordinated various housing advocacy programs, ensuring their seamless operation and alignment with organizational goals.◆ Forged strategic partnerships with local organizations, government agencies, and stakeholders to amplify the impact of our housing advocacy efforts.◆ Conducted comprehensive training sessions for Housing Champions and volunteers, equipping them with the knowledge and tools to advocate effectively.◆ Developed and executed advocacy campaigns and initiatives to raise awareness about homelessness issues and drive policy change.◆ Monitored and evaluated program outcomes, using data-driven insights to continuously improve our advocacy efforts.◆ Effectively managed resources and budgets to maximize the impact of housing advocacy programs.◆ Worked tirelessly to bring about positive change in the Orange County community, contributing to the broader mission of United Way to end homelessness and create a better future for all.

International

As the Director of Certificate Programs at Hope International University from September 2017 to June 2018, I had the privilege of overseeing and enhancing academic certificate programs on an international scale. In this role, I successfully:◆ Administered academic certificate programs operating in 30+ international locations.◆ Maintained proactive and effective communication with program partners, students, alumni, and supporters.◆ Evaluated prospective academic partners and provided insightful recommendations to university leadership.◆ Collaborated with program leaders to develop shared standards and objectives that were culturally relevant, fostering a dynamic learning environment.◆ Implemented strategies to enhance program efficiency and effectiveness, ensuring a seamless educational experience for students.◆ Conducted thorough program evaluations to identify areas for improvement and innovation, driving continuous enhancement.◆ Cultivated strong relationships with international stakeholders, nurturing support for our academic initiatives.◆ Spearheaded initiatives to expand program reach and access, making quality education more widely available.◆ Fostered cross-cultural collaboration among program leaders, promoting diversity of thought and perspectives.◆ Ensured compliance with academic standards and regulations, upholding the university's commitment to academic excellence.◆ Played a pivotal role in advancing the university's global educational presence and impact, leaving a lasting legacy.

Orange County, California Area

During my tenure as the Director of Operations at Grandma's House of Hope in Santa Ana, CA from 2015 to 2016, I played a pivotal role in enhancing the organization's effectiveness and overall impact. With a strong focus on compliance, resource utilization, and collaboration, I worked diligently to drive positive changes in various facets of our operations. Here are some key highlights of my contributions during this time:◆ Designed and implemented internal systems, resulting in improved outcomes and resource efficiency.◆ Established rigorous practices to ensure strict compliance with requirements from County, municipal, and private funding sources.◆ Played an integral role in the grantwriting process, from solicitation to application, data collection, and compliance.◆ Streamlined human resources and financial documentation processes for greater efficiency and accuracy.◆ Led recruitment, hiring, and training efforts for employees, volunteers, and board members, fostering a capable and dedicated team.◆ Acted as the primary liaison, representing the agency to Orange County leadership, corporations, funding communities, and County government.◆ Implemented measures to enhance the overall quality of service delivery within our supportive housing programs.◆ Fostered a culture of accountability and continuous improvement, resulting in increased client satisfaction and program effectiveness.◆ Collaborated with various stakeholders to identify opportunities for growth and expansion of services.◆ Conducted regular assessments and evaluations to identify areas for operational improvement and cost savings.

Fullerton, Ca

During my tenure as the Housing and Community Engagement Manager at Pathways of Hope in Fullerton, CA from 2012 to 2015, I played a pivotal role in leading transformative initiatives to combat homelessness and enhance community engagement. Here are some key highlights of my contributions:◆ Spearheaded and nurtured collaborative partnerships with diverse stakeholders, including government bodies, businesses, faith communities, and nonprofit organizations, strengthening collective efforts to combat homelessness while boosting the organization's visibility and revenue.◆ Provided strategic leadership for community initiatives aimed at improving care systems, both at the local level (Fullerton Homeless Collaborative; Anaheim Collaborative) and county-wide (Homeless Provider Forum; Commission to End Homelessness Implementation Groups).◆ Innovatively restructured the food distribution center's service model to align with best practices, fostering greater engagement with volunteers, donors, and clientele.◆ Developed and implemented program evaluation plans, along with statistic review dashboards, to effectively measure performance and outcomes.◆ Took charge of recruiting, training, and supervising a diverse team, including staff, AmeriCorps VISTA members, volunteers, and interns, ensuring a cohesive and productive workforce.◆ Orchestrated public relations messaging across various media channels, including print, online, and other platforms, to enhance the organization's visibility and communication efforts.

Fullerton, Ca

As the Program Manager at Pathways of Hope in Fullerton, CA from 2009 to 2012, I took on a transformative role in revitalizing a transitional housing program for adults experiencing homelessness and displacement. With a strong commitment to improving the lives of our clients, I focused on restructuring program administration, implementing new policies and procedures, and ensuring the successful progression of individuals toward permanent housing. Here are ten key accomplishments during my tenure:◆ Revitalized and reinvigorated the transitional housing program, leading to increased positive outcomes for clients.◆ Restructured program administration, optimizing resource allocation, budgeting, risk management, and staff scheduling for greater efficiency.◆ Spearheaded fund development efforts, securing crucial resources to support program expansion and client services.◆ Advocated for the program's mission and objectives, building strong community partnerships and raising awareness of homelessness issues.◆ Generated comprehensive reports, providing stakeholders with valuable insights into program performance and impact.◆ Launched new program policies and procedures, aligning them with our goals and ensuring consistent, effective service delivery.◆ Implemented a client-centered approach, supervising and evaluating individual case management plans to help clients achieve program milestones.◆ Led a dedicated team of staff, fostering a collaborative and supportive work environment to enhance program effectiveness.◆ Successfully transitioned numerous clients from homelessness to permanent housing, contributing to our mission of breaking the cycle of homelessness.◆ Demonstrated a commitment to continuous improvement, regularly assessing program outcomes and adjusting strategies to meet evolving needs.

International

During my tenure as the Office Manager at Tumaini International Organization, with locations in Masii, Kenya, and Brea, CA, from 2007 to 2009, I played a pivotal role in coordinating and facilitating critical community initiatives to provide support for students and families affected by HIV/AIDS in Kenya. I was also instrumental in establishing the groundwork for the organization's operations in the United States.◆ Managed community initiatives to assist students and families impacted by HIV/AIDS in Kenya.◆ Facilitated connections between constituent families and vital financial assistance resources.◆ Implemented educational programs to empower affected individuals with knowledge and skills.◆ Coordinated access to essential public health services for those in need.◆ Established procedures and protocols for the launch of Tumaini International Organization's U.S. office.◆ Ensured effective communication between the Kenyan and U.S. offices.◆ Collaborated with local and international partners to expand support networks.◆ Organized fundraising events to secure resources for the organization's initiatives.◆ Monitored and evaluated the impact of our programs on the community.◆ Provided leadership and support to a dedicated team of professionals and volunteers.

Master Of Arts, Intercultural Studies

During my time at Fuller Theological Seminary from 2009 to 2012, I pursued a Master of Arts in Intercultural Studies. My academic journey.

Master Of Science In Management, Non-Profit/Public/Organizational Management

In 2008-2009, I pursued a Master of Science in Management with a specialization in Non-Profit/Public/Organizational Management at Hope.

Bachelor Of Arts, Biblical Studies

During my time at Hope International University from 2004 to 2008, I pursued a Bachelor of Arts in Biblical Studies. This educational.