L. Jani Sheppard is the President and founder of ljs.LeadershipSolutions. Her work reflects 32 years of commitment to leadership development, Diversity Equity and Inclusion, Executive Coaching and Organizational Development. Jani is both a PONO and Weinberg Fellow with focus on non-profit Management and Leadership Development through Hawaii Pacific University.

Jani served as CEO for Maui Family Support services for 11 years, serving children and families experiencing family violence and leading prevention services for the islands of Maui, Moloka’i and Lana’i. Her organization received multiple awards including six “Best Places to Work”, commendation from the Commission on Fatherhood, and she was recognized by Hawaii Business Magazine as one of the top 10 CEOs to Know in Hawaii. She is the former Executive Director of Project Sanctuary, an organization committed to serving survivors of Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault in Mendocino County, CA. She has provided leadership for organizations and communities dedicated to partnering with individuals with disabilities, including behavioral health and substance use disorders, to provide options for healing, self-sufficiency, and joy. As a Servant Leader, she is committed to ensuring those impacted by polices, services and supports always have a seat at the table and that their voices drive the conversation.

Jani is a skilled facilitator: She creates safe and open environments where participants learn, share, and develop skills needed to meet their goals. Her clients overwhelmingly share their appreciation for her compassion, ability to meet them where they are, provide honest and supportive feedback, develop focused and relevant steps to meet to achieve their goals, and have fun doing it.  Jani provides the same positive experience in her role as an Executive Coach. Her strength-based approach celebrates the individual, lessons learned, their journey, and their capacity to experience success on multiple levels.  Jani is a staunch proponent of trauma-informed care and support and is honored to have the opportunity to work with survivors of trauma, including historical cultural trauma.

Jani has served the community serving on various Boards and Commissions including as Board Chairperson for the Boys and Girls Club; Board Chairperson for Hawaii Alliance of  Non-Profit Organizations, Vice Chair for United Way Board of Directors, co-Founder of the Mendocino County DEI Task Force, Chair Person for Ukiah City Council Equity and Inclusion  Committee, Chairperson Ho’oikaika Partnership, AMllc Equity Advisor,  as a Sonoma County Commissioner for Area Council on Aging, and member of a Cloverdale Disabilities Action Committee.

Jani loves music, playing her piano and singing. Much to her parents’ chagrin, she has enjoyed an occasional sky dive and hot air balloon ride. She fills her cup by cooking for friends, writing music, and hiking.  Jani is proudly owned by her dog Kona and is an avid believer in the power of love, laughter, random acts of kindness, prayer, challenge, and curiosity.