Linda Shepard

A middle-aged woman with curly brown hair and fair skin smiling outdoors, wearing a red short-sleeved top, blue jeans, and colorful jewelry, with trees and a brick structure in the background.
Campaign sign for Linda Shepard, candidate for CUSD School Board, with a yellow background, blue text, and three white stars at the top.

As a mother of two, businesswoman, educator and longtime community leader, I am well acquainted with issues parents have with public schools.

My experience as an educator includes:

  • For 13 years, I put on “Family Nights of Math & Science” and “Astronomy Night” programs at schools within Capistrano Unified School District (CUSD) and at private schools.

  • I led a Scholars' Lunch Bunch program for the G.A.T.E. children (grades 3-5) for several years. I brought in guest speakers from a variety of career opportunities, including a doctor who performed a cow's eye dissection.

  • I taught in a TK-3 alternative school program.

  • I was an Adjunct Professor of Accounting and Finance for undergrad and graduate studies programs (Vanguard, Azusa Pacific and Webster Universities)

  • I served as Vice Chair of a CUSD Committee to evaluate schools for potential merger or closure.  

  • I was part of the Executive team that built Discovery Science Center.  I managed 23 vendors, Visitor Services, and was Program Manager for a 4-weekend “Trains, Planes, and Automobiles” event.  I served on the Finance Committee and Exhibits Committee.

As financial professional, I have been:

  • Chief Financial Officer, Habitat for Humanity of Orange County

  • Accounting Director, Taco Bell Corporation

  • Senior Manager, Finance, Los Angeles Market, Verizon

  • Certified Public Accountant (CPA), KPMG

Throughout my career, which has primarily been in accounting/audit/finance and strategy, I have saved organizations millions of dollars, launched new products that have generated millions in revenue, housed low-income families and established solid internal controls.

I learn fast and hit the ground running.

Linda Shepard

A career defined not only by financial results, but by building systems, developing people, strengthening organizations and serving the community.

A chronological journey through finance, leadership, education, teaching, and community service

Education

Saint Mary’s College

Notre Dame, Indiana

Accounting / English Literature

Certified Public Accountant (State of Illinois)

J.L. Kellog Graduate School of Management

Northwestern University, Illinois

Master's of Management in Operations and Marketing

Managed Operational Audit and Senior Business Analyst

Duchossois Industries, Inc.

Elmhurst, Illinois

Saved more than $3 million at two plants, helped establish turnaround strategy for a failing $200 million division, and analyzed 5 acquisitions and 1 divestiture.

Auditor - Public Accounting

KPMG

Chicago, Illinois

Manager of Financial Control for Operations, Cash Control, Inventory and Equipment sales

Verizon Wireless

Formerly AirTouch Cellular • Los Angeles Market

Re-engineered processes across departments, implemented IT systems, processed 80% increase in sales volume without increasing headcount, developed management team to deter fraud and protect company assets, launched first pre-paid cell phone in this hemisphere.
DIRECTOR ACCOUNTING OPERATIONS / ASSISTANT CONTROLLER

Taco Bell Corporation

Irvine, California

Coordinated $97 million capital budget, re-engineered accounts payable processes handling more than one million invoices annually.
EXECUTIVE TEAM THAT BUILT

Discovery Science Center

Finance & Exhibits Committees

Managed the infrastructure and operational planning required to successfully launch Discovery Science Center. Managed 25 infrastructure vendors. Located and negotiated industrial rental property. Coordinated a Fall Program that drove attendance and revenue.
Consulting

Linda Shepard – Consulting

Southern California

Ongoing consulting practice providing financial, operational and strategic expertise to organizations across multiple industries.

Sample of completed projects:

  • Adopted new billing system for client.
  • Defined new accounts payable processes.
  • Redesigned high school classroom to enhance multimedia learning and managed grant compliance.
  • Evaluated business insurance needs and selected provider.
CFO

Habitat for Humanity of Orange County

Santa Ana, California

  • Built financial relationships with banks and investors.
  • Reviewed construction costs, spending schedules and cash-flow needs.
  • Helped 15 homeowner associations improve reserves.
  • Overhauled escrow legal documents.
  • Oversaw annual audits and debt compliance.
Generated $11,795,000 in cash flow and reduced dependence upon donations by 38%.
Teaching

Azusa Pacific, Vanguard, Webster, and National University

California

Taught undergraduate Accounting courses and graduate-level Managerial Accounting and Corporate Finance.

Service to our schools and students
  • Leading a Gifted and Talented Education career program.
  • 11 years as classroom volunteer – math and reading.
  • Tutoring K-8 students.
  • Tutoring high school geometry.
13 years organizing math and science family nights and astronomy nights for Capistrano Unified School District schools. More than 1,000 students and parents served in 2016.
Community Service through scouting

Scouting America

Orange County

24 years volunteering with Scouting America families

  • Religious Emblem Coordinator for OCBSA.
  • BSA Merit Badge Counselor.
  • Committee Chair for Cub Scout Pack 714 and Troop 634.

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