KS

Karen Shepard

Karen Shepard


VP Finance/CFO



Professional Overview
Karen Shepard is an experienced finance executive with a proven track record of driving strategic financial leadership and operational excellence. As the VP Finance/CFO at PeaceHealth, she oversees all aspects of the organization's financial management, helping to ensure long-term sustainability and responsible growth.

Experience Summary

Current Role
As VP Finance/CFO at PeaceHealth, Karen is responsible for leading the finance and accounting functions, including budgeting, forecasting, and financial reporting. She has been instrumental in implementing robust financial controls, streamlining processes, and aligning the organization's financial strategies with its broader business objectives. Under her guidance, PeaceHealth has achieved consistent profitability and strengthened its financial position to better serve the local community.

Career Progression
Prior to joining PeaceHealth, Karen held various finance leadership roles at prominent healthcare organizations, where she consistently demonstrated her ability to drive operational efficiencies and improve financial performance. Her career progression includes positions such as Director of Finance at Mercy Health and Senior Financial Analyst at Oregon Health & Science University. Throughout her career, Karen has earned a reputation as a strategic thinker and a collaborative partner who can effectively bridge the gap between finance and operations.

Academic Background
Karen holds a Master of Business Administration (MBA) from the University of Oregon, where she specialized in Finance. She also earned a Bachelor of Science (BS) in Accounting from Oregon State University, graduating with honors.

Areas of Expertise
  • Financial planning and analysis

  • Cost management and optimization

  • Budgeting and forecasting

  • Financial reporting and compliance

  • Risk management and internal controls

  • Strategic decision-making

  • Team building and leadership


Professional Impact
During her tenure at PeaceHealth, Karen has spearheaded several key initiatives that have had a significant impact on the organization's financial performance. She led the implementation of a new enterprise resource planning (ERP) system, which has improved data accuracy, streamlined processes, and enhanced the finance team's ability to provide timely and insightful financial information to stakeholders. Additionally, Karen has been instrumental in securing favorable financing terms, enabling PeaceHealth to invest in critical infrastructure and technology upgrades to better serve its patient community.

Conclusion
With her extensive finance experience, strategic mindset, and collaborative leadership style, Karen Shepard is a valuable asset to PeaceHealth. Her commitment to financial excellence and operational efficiency has been instrumental in the organization's continued growth and success. As she continues to guide the finance function, Karen remains focused on driving sustainable financial performance and supporting PeaceHealth's mission of delivering high-quality healthcare services to the communities it serves.