Business leader Randell McShepard to speak at BW Commencement

He's been lauded for accomplishments in business and community engagement and as a bold voice in elevating the next generation of Black leaders. Randell "Randy" McShepard '86 will be the keynote speaker for the Baldwin Wallace University Spring Commencement ceremony on Saturday, May 7.

Impressive Career Achievements

McShepard is the vice president of public affairs and chief talent officer for RPM International Inc., a $6.1-billion multinational company with subsidiaries in specialty coatings, sealants, building materials and related services.

In this role, McShepard coordinates external affairs for the company (including corporate philanthropy and government relations) and manages and evaluates leadership development, succession planning and executive training in collaboration with the chairman and CEO. His career with RPM spans 21 years.

Prior to that, he worked in the non-profit sector in leadership roles addressing economic development, workforce development and community service. He also worked as an independent strategic planning and group facilitation consultant for the last 24 years.

In addition, he is a board member of the Cleveland Foundation and Destination Cleveland, director for Citymark Capital LLC and chairman and co-founder of PolicyBridge, a public policy think tank serving Northeast Ohio. Among other affiliations, McShepard serves on the Cuyahoga County Citizen's Advisory Council on Equity. He is a past member of the BW Board of Trustees, a role he held for nearly 20 years.

Community Leader Who Transforms Ideas into Action

A revered speaker with keen intellect, McShepard has been the voice of economic and community development across Northeast Ohio. Through his work with PolicyBridge, his visionary thinking has been lauded as an important model for elevating community, business, political and civic leaders capable of re-engaging the Black community.

Among accolades, he is a 2013 Baldwin Wallace Alumni Merit Award honoree (the highest recognition that can be bestowed upon a BW graduate). From other alma maters, he was inducted into the John F. Kennedy High School Hall of Fame (Cleveland) and was recognized as a Distinguished Alumnus of Cleveland State University (where he earned a master's degree in urban studies in 1998). In 2017, he received the "Humanitarian Award" from The Diversity Center of Northeast Ohio.

McShepard is also a 2021 PAN Award recipient - an honor given by Cleveland Public Theatre to an individual who inspires others by being dedicated to the community and enlightening and reviving people's spirit through leadership.

At BW, McShepard studied psychology and communication studies and was active in Student Senate, the Gospel Choir, The Exponent student newspaper and worked in the Office of University Relations.