Dr. LaSharnda Beckwith

As President and Chief Executive Officer of Lutheran Social Services of Southern California (LSSSC), Dr. LaSharnda Beckwith leads the strategic direction and execution of the agency’s mission: to embrace, equip, and empower vulnerable individuals, families, and communities toward self-sufficiency. She oversees a team of nearly 200 employees across 16 offices in six counties, fostering partnerships across private, public, and corporate sectors to improve conditions for underserved and marginalized populations.

Dr. Beckwith brings extensive leadership experience from her previous role as Provost and Chief Academic Officer at California Southern University, and a 27-year career with the Army & Air Force Exchange Service (AAFES), where she retired as Vice President of the Eastern Region. Her background includes significant fiscal and operational oversight, with a focus on driving organizational performance and impact.

Her commitment to service is further reflected in her founding of the Professional Christian Women in Service organization and other leadership initiatives. Dr. Beckwith holds doctoral degrees in Business Administration and Strategic Leadership, along with multiple professional certifications in strategy and leadership from institutions such as the University of Michigan, the Center for Creative Leadership, and the Wharton School. She also earned advanced degrees in business from Embry-Riddle and Webster Universities.