Program Specialist
610.574.4762
With more than a decade of leadership in nonprofit management, Zach Sheppard serves as a pivotal Program Specialist at Graduate Philadelphia, where he guides adult learners through every stage of their educational journey. From pre-enrollment to graduation, Zach provides the essential resources, advocacy, and industry-aligned programming necessary for learners to develop new skills and achieve their career goals. His work is rooted in a commitment to human-centered solutions, leveraging his certifications as a Conflict Manager and Team Supervisor to foster environments where both staff and adult learners can thrive.
Throughout his career, Zach has been a catalyst for organizational growth and enhanced student outcomes. He has successfully established and maintained win-win partnerships with over 90 community-based organizations and educational entities, notably spearheading an innovative pilot program that expanded organizational reach by 400%. An experienced leader, Zach has supervised teams of up to 13 members supporting portfolios of over 900 students, consistently ensuring smooth stakeholder engagement even during complex site transitions and organizational changes. By combining data-driven decision-making with empathetic coaching, he has helped hundreds of students across the East Coast navigate the complexities of financial aid, academics, and professional development.
When he is not empowering learners at Graduate Philadelphia, Zach continues to expand his portfolio at The Genealogy Sheppard. As a passionate genealogist, he aims to guide individuals to their ancestors by connecting the past and present through meticulous record analysis, family history preservation, and DNA interpretation.
