Open To Work
Anita LaSharnda Beckwith
President & CEO
Orange,CA
Summary
Strategic executive with leadership experience in nonprofit management and financial oversight. Drove mission impact and organizational growth through stakeholder collaboration and innovative partnerships. Enhanced community engagement by 20% through effective communication and team building.
Overview
38
38
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Adjunct Professor, Doctoral Programs
American College of Education
06.2025 - Current
- Taught doctoral-level courses in leadership, organizational behavior, and applied leadership practice, enhancing student engagement in higher education instruction.
- Guided doctoral learners in scholarly writing, research integration, and organizational analysis, ensuring adherence to APA standards and effective leadership application.
- Facilitated online learning communities that emphasized critical thinking and evidence-based practice, fostering ethical leadership and professional communication.
- Assess student work using doctoral-level rubrics and provide detailed feedback designed to strengthen scholarship, synthesis, analysis, and applied leadership competency.
- American College of Education is an online institution serving adult learners and education, leadership, and professional practice students.
President and Chief Executive Officer
Lutheran Social Services Southern California
Orange, CA
04.2020 - Current
- Provide executive leadership for the day-to-day and long-term operations of a multi-county nonprofit organization serving vulnerable individuals, families, youth, seniors, and communities across Southern California.
- Lead organizational strategy, fiscal sustainability, program accountability, executive team development, board relations, external partnerships, and mission impact.
- Ensured timely progress toward LSSSC's mission and programmatic outcomes, enhancing service quality and community impact across multiple service lines and geographic regions.
- Develop and execute program, organizational, and financial plans consistent with Board-approved policy, strategic priorities, and available funding.
- Managed and oversaw operations and programs, ensuring financial sustainability, compliance, accountability, and organizational effectiveness.
- Oversee and report organizational performance, strategic progress, financial results, and capital project milestones to the Board of Directors and Board committees.
- Collaborated with philanthropy leadership, executive staff, Board members, government partners, donors, and community stakeholders to drive development and fundraising initiatives.
- Lead, manage, and guide the organization to achieve continued growth, program effectiveness, service expansion, and optimal mission impact.
- Actively engage in complex fiscal management through hands-on budget development, cash flow oversight, funding strategy, and routine reporting of performance and financial activities to the Board.
- Foster a collaborative working environment, encourage professional development, mentor executive leaders, and champion accountability across the organization.
- Establish goals, objectives, and operational plans in collaboration with the Board of Directors, executive leadership, and other organizational leaders.
- Represent LSSSC externally and promote a positive organizational image with public officials, funders, faith leaders, nonprofit partners, community members, and philanthropic stakeholders.
- Organize, motivate, and mentor internal team leaders to grow the organization's impact, strengthen programs, support fundraising, and fulfill LSSSC's mission effectively.
- Lead large-scale capital and community development efforts, including the San Bernardino Community Wellness Campus and related public-private partnership strategies.
- Strengthen family-centered and community-based services through housing stabilization, case management, behavioral health coordination, education programs, and wraparound support.
- Lutheran Social Services Southern California is a nonprofit social services organization founded in 1944 after Lutheran congregations in San Diego sought ways to assist families in need.
Provost, Chief Academic Officer, and Accreditation Liaison Officer
California Southern University
Costa Mesa, CA
08.2018 - 03.2020
- Led the university as the senior academic executive, providing strategic, operational, fiscal, and academic leadership for all academic programs and services.
- Progressed from Chief Academic Officer and Senior Vice President of the Finestone Leadership Institute into the Provost role, reflecting expanded institutional responsibility and executive leadership impact.
- Directed all academic operations, including WASC accreditation and reaffirmation, institutional assessment, academic quality, faculty affairs, academic support, and reporting requirements to WASC and BPPE.
- Led, managed, and mentored Deans, Associate Deans, Department Chairs, the Assessment Analyst, academic leaders, faculty, and administrative staff.
- Provided academic strategic planning, administrative leadership, direction, and evaluation for academic activities, faculty affairs, and student success initiatives.
- Developed and implemented the Academic Master Plan, Institutional Effectiveness Plan, Self-Study Report, and strategic priorities aligned with WASC reaffirmation and institutional goals.
- Reviewed and analyzed performance metrics for program delivery, academic quality, and student success; presented actionable insights to President's Cabinet and guided staff improvements.
- Reviewed and approved academic organizational plans and budgets, demonstrating sound fiscal management and evidence-based decision-making.
- Sponsored and monitored a $3 million technology project, evaluating actions, timelines, academic impact, and implementation progress.
- Oversaw program development and academic budgets, aligning resources with institutional strategy to enhance student support and success.
- Developed and implemented business and academic strategy to strengthen brand awareness, attract students, improve programs, and support university-wide priorities.
- Worked collaboratively with Faculty Senate, Steering Committees, Academic Committees, Advisory Boards, and institutional leaders to strengthen shared governance.
- Led academic process improvement, Assessment Summits, Academic Dean Training, Scholarly Consortiums, and leadership development initiatives.
- Directed accreditation processes as the Accreditation Liaison Officer for the university, including reaffirmation preparation, reporting, compliance tracking, and evidence collection.
- Advanced an inclusive campus culture and aligned academic systems to equip students as experts in disciplines and leaders in fields.
- California Southern University is a private university serving adult learners through flexible academic programs and professional degrees.
Dean, College of Business and Management
Hope International University
Fullerton, CA
08.2015 - 08.2018
- Selected for the Dean role in August 2015 and engaged in early leadership transition activities before official start, including commencement participation, strategic onboarding, and executive collaboration.
- Provided executive academic leadership for the College of Business and Management, including academic strategy, operations, faculty leadership, budget oversight, program development, and enrollment growth.
- Collaborated with the Vice President for Academic Affairs, President's Cabinet, faculty leaders, advisory boards, and external partners to advance institutional and college priorities.
- Established and collaborated with Business Advisory Board to enhance industry engagement, foster community partnerships, and ensure program relevance.
- Introduced and executed the Business for Missions program, connecting business education, mission, entrepreneurship, and global service.
- Introduced a required course for students entering the College of Business, A Christian Vision of Business, to strengthen faith-informed leadership and marketplace ethics.
- Introduced a new Digital Marketing degree program and supported academic innovation aligned with emerging workforce needs.
- Secured programmatic accreditation for College of Business, enhancing academic credibility and ensuring quality assurance standards.
- Overhauled graduate and undergraduate course curricula to elevate quality, align with market needs, and enhance student outcomes.
- Formulated and proposed annual budgets and administered periodic cost and productivity analyses.
- Hope International University is a private Christian university in Fullerton, California, serving students from multiple states and countries.
Chair, Department of Business, Master of Business Administration Program, and Master of Organizational Leadership Program
Southwestern Assemblies of God University
Waxahachie, TX
02.2014 - 05.2016
- Directed Department of Business and Harrison Graduate degree programs, ensuring academic excellence in undergraduate and graduate business education.
- Developed and launched Master of Business Administration program in collaboration with Beckwith Leadership Group and institutional partners.
- Led first-year MBA implementation, recruitment targets, and program positioning after the MBA was introduced at SAGU in 2014.
- Established growth targets for undergraduate and graduate programs, successfully meeting goals from 2015 to 2016.
- Created the college's first business advisory council and recruited community business leaders to support program relevance and external engagement.
- Established metrics for undergraduate and graduate programs to track performance, growth, and outcomes.
- Created and implemented Business for Missions as a way to engage the large athletic population and connect business education with mission and service.
- Created and executed A Christian Vision of Business, required for students entering the Business school.
- Collaborated with the Dean of the Harrison School of Graduate Studies in creating the MBA and taught leadership courses using team exercises in the Master of Organizational Leadership graduate program.
- Southwestern Assemblies of God University is a private Christian university and seminary in Waxahachie, Texas, regionally accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges and endorsed by the Assemblies of God USA.
Adjunct Professor, Business, Management, Organizational Management, and Human Resources
Texas Woman's University, Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, and DeVry University
Dallas, TX
02.2011 - 02.2014
- Taught graduate and undergraduate students in organizational management, leadership, business, and human resources.
- Developed and managed course syllabi, aligning content with department and college standards to enhance educational quality.
- Planned and created lectures, online and in-person discussions, assignments, and learning activities.
- Graded papers, quizzes, exams, projects, and participation-based assignments using institutional expectations and course outcomes.
- Assessed grades based on participation, performance, assignments, examinations, and demonstrated learning.
- Reported student learning outcomes and class reviews, collaborating with colleagues to improve curriculum and course effectiveness.
- Advised students on academic success and professional goals, facilitating leadership development through tailored guidance.
- Stayed current on innovations and changes within business, leadership, management, and organizational practice.
Vice President of Operations, Eastern Region
Army and Air Force Exchange Service (AAFES)
08.2006 - 11.2011
- Led profit and loss responsibilities for military bases and posts on the East Coast of the United States.
- Directed multi-site operations supporting soldiers, airmen, military families, and installation communities.
- Inspired and developed future leaders who were passionate about serving soldiers, airmen, and their families.
- Strengthened national brands by repositioning main stores, expanding concessions, and elevating customer experience.
- Collaborated with marketing teams to enhance online presence, boost customer engagement, and optimize service delivery.
- Worked with Headquarters and Logistics teams to optimize the supply chain and improve regional operational effectiveness.
- Evaluated selling, general, and administrative costs to streamline processes and improve return on investment.
Senior Executive Leadership Career
Army and Air Force Exchange Service (AAFES)
Dallas, TX
01.1988 - 11.2011
- Completed 27-year career, advancing from College Trainee to senior executive leadership through progressively responsible roles, enhancing organizational effectiveness and strategic leadership.
- Joined AAFES as College Trainee and advanced through management and leadership roles, contributing to operational excellence and team development in senior executive positions.
- Built broad expertise in operations, leadership development, retail strategy, customer experience, logistics, organizational performance, executive communication, and enterprise execution.
- Cultivated expertise in store operations, personnel leadership, and customer service, driving performance improvement and organizational execution across multiple roles.
- Army and Air Force Exchange Service is a $10 billion retail and services organization within the Department of Defense focused on delivering goods and services to military members and families throughout the world.
Vice President of Training and Chief Training and Development Officer
Army and Air Force Exchange Service (AAFES)
08.2004 - 08.2006
- Led strategic learning and development initiatives improving employee engagement and capability across Exchange Service worldwide.
- Developed superior learning experiences tailored for team members, managers, and senior-level executives, enhancing overall training effectiveness.
- Established Leadership Development and Executive Leadership programs to strengthen succession planning and leadership pipelines.
- Executed and delivered onsite degree programs in collaboration with three local universities, fostering educational partnerships and workforce skill development.
- Managed a $750,000 tuition assistance program supporting workforce development and educational advancement.
- Introduced a learning management system to support strategic process improvement and enterprise learning infrastructure.
- Led implementation, administration, and continuous improvement of organization-wide development and training.
- Planned and expedited organizational development and training strategy, prioritized work, and reported status updates.
- Researched and analyzed best practices within and outside AAFES and established benchmarks.
Executive Liaison to the Chief Operating Officer
Army and Air Force Exchange Service (AAFES)
01.2000 - 01.2004
- Acted as executive liaison to the Chief Operating Officer, supporting enterprise-level communication, strategic initiatives, operational coordination, and executive decision-making.
- Coordinated cross-functional initiatives in operations, training, planning, and performance to align with headquarters priorities and enhance overall effectiveness.
- Gained insight into senior executive strategy and enterprise operations, positioning for future advancement to Vice President roles.
Education
Doctorate in Business Administration, Cum Laude - Specialization in Strategic Leadership
California Southern University
Costa Mesa, CADoctorate in Philosophy - Specialization in Leadership
Capella University
Minneapolis, MNMaster of Business Administration, with Distinction -
Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University
Daytona Beach, FLMaster of Arts in Business Management -
Webster University
Webster Groves, MOBachelor of Professional Studies -
Barry University
Miami Shores, FLSkills
- Strategic planning
- Organizational leadership
- Financial leadership
- Budget management
- Performance evaluation
- Balanced scorecard
- Stakeholder collaboration
- Nonprofit management
- Strategic partnerships
- Capital and resource management
- Budget oversight
- Global outreach
- Operations management
- Cost reduction
- Team leadership
- Decision-making
- Staff management
- Executive performance management
- Team building
- Conflict resolution
- Mentorship development
- Critical thinking
- Data visualization with Tableau
- Microsoft Office Suite
- Spreadsheet management
- Presentation software
- Public relations
- Diversity initiatives
- Effective communication
- Diversity initiatives
- Financial management
Affiliations
- Member | Lutheran Office of Public Policy Council
- Member | Lutheran Services in America
- Accreditation Liaison Officer | Western Association of Schools and Colleges, WASC
- Member | Center for Applied Psychological Type
- Chapter Vice President | Sigma Beta Delta
- Judge | FBLA-Phi Beta Lambda
- Judge | DECA
- Evaluator | International Accreditation Council for Business Education, IACBE
- Member | International Accreditation Council for Business Education, IACBE
- Peer-review Reader | International Accreditation Council for Business Education, IACBE
- Member | Cambridge Who's Who
- Mentor | Menttium 100 Professional Mentoring Group
- Member | Diversity Council
- Member | The Conference Board
- Member | American Society for Training and Development
Certification
- High Potential Leaders: Executive Leadership Certification Program | Wharton, University of Pennsylvania
- Myers-Briggs Type Indicator | Centers for Application of Psychological Type
- Certified Professional Project Manager | Management Science Institute, USA
- Certified Management Professional | Management Science Institute, USA
- Human Performance Improvement | American Society for Training and Development
- Strategic Planning | University of Michigan
Selected Executive Impact
- Secured and stewarded major public funding, including $35 million through California Project Homekey, $5 million in ARPA funding from the City of San Bernardino, and additional city and county funding to advance community wellness and housing initiatives.
- Lead Lutheran Social Services Southern California across a six-county Southern California footprint, providing multi-site social services that include housing navigation, behavioral health support, case management, intellectual and developmental disability services, youth and education programs, mobile wellness, and family-centered services.
- Maintained strong financial and audit discipline, including multiple consecutive years of audits with no findings following initial transition-year findings inherited upon arrival.
- Provide executive leadership to Board governance, strategic planning, executive team development, capital projects, risk management, and external stakeholder engagement with city, county, state, faith-based, philanthropic, and community partners.
- Built an executive career that reflects long-term progression, including 23 years with the Army and Air Force Exchange Service, advancement from College Trainee to Vice President, and senior leadership in higher education as Dean, Chief Academic Officer, Provost, and adjunct professor.
Professional Development And Credentials
- Doctorate in Business Administration, Strategic Leadership, California Southern University, Costa Mesa, CA
- Doctorate in Philosophy, Organization and Management, Specialization in Leadership, Capella University, Minneapolis, MN
- Master of Business Administration, Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, Daytona Beach, FL
- Master of Arts in Business Management, Webster University, Webster Groves, MO
- Bachelor of Professional Studies, Barry University, Miami Shores, FL
Publications
- The value of ethics in organizations, Journal of Entrepreneurship and Organizational Management, 8, 4, 2019
- An exploratory study: Christianity, immigration, diversity, and global economies, Journal of Business Studies Quarterly, 9, 1, 2017
- An empirical study: How Christians influence global markets, Journal of Business Studies Quarterly, 7, 21, 2016
- The evolution of marketplace ministry: An exploratory study of strategies used in business evangelism, Journal of Business Studies Quarterly, 6, 22, 2016
- A Christian vision of the marketplace, Journal of Business Studies Quarterly, 7, 3, 2016
- The underrepresentation of African American women in executive leadership: What is getting in the way?, Journal of Business Studies Quarterly, 7, 4, 2016
Volunteer Experience
- Lutheran Office of Public Policy
- Hope International University, Business Advisory Council, Chair
- Oak Valley College, Board of Trustees
- MySafe Harbor, Board Member
- The Barnabas Group, Member
- Professional Christian Women in Service, Founder and CEO
Core Leadership Strengths
- Project Management
- Capital Planning
- Strategic Planning
- Executive Communication
- Performance Optimization
- Multi-Site Management
- Board Governance
- Shared Governance
- Spiritual Formation
- Faith Integration
- International Programs
- Financial Management
- Team Building
- Leadership Development
- Complex Problem Solving
- Accreditation
- Compliance
- Fundraising
- Public Funding
- Community Partnerships
Presentations
- Faith and Enterprise, California Baptist University, 02/01/20
- The Integration of Faith and Business Practices to Address the Needs of Underserved Populations: A Case Study of Implementing Micro-Business Models, International Conference on Andragogy for Peaceful Cohabitation and Holistic Development, Yaounde, Cameroon, 01/01/20
- Business for Missions and Microbusinesses, Pastor's Meeting, Kherson, Ukraine, 08/01/18
- Business for Missions, Business Leaders and Entrepreneur Seminar, Chennai, India, 02/01/17
- Business for Missions, Business Leaders and Entrepreneur Seminar, Coimbatore, India, 02/01/17
Timeline
Adjunct Professor, Doctoral Programs
American College of Education
06.2025 - Current
President and Chief Executive Officer
Lutheran Social Services Southern California
04.2020 - Current
Provost, Chief Academic Officer, and Accreditation Liaison Officer
California Southern University
08.2018 - 03.2020
Dean, College of Business and Management
Hope International University
08.2015 - 08.2018
Chair, Department of Business, Master of Business Administration Program, and Master of Organizational Leadership Program
Southwestern Assemblies of God University
02.2014 - 05.2016
Adjunct Professor, Business, Management, Organizational Management, and Human Resources
Texas Woman's University, Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, and DeVry University
02.2011 - 02.2014
Vice President of Operations, Eastern Region
Army and Air Force Exchange Service (AAFES)
08.2006 - 11.2011
Vice President of Training and Chief Training and Development Officer
Army and Air Force Exchange Service (AAFES)
08.2004 - 08.2006
Executive Liaison to the Chief Operating Officer
Army and Air Force Exchange Service (AAFES)
01.2000 - 01.2004
Senior Executive Leadership Career
Army and Air Force Exchange Service (AAFES)
01.1988 - 11.2011
Doctorate in Business Administration, Cum Laude - Specialization in Strategic Leadership
California Southern University
Doctorate in Philosophy - Specialization in Leadership
Capella University
Master of Business Administration, with Distinction -
Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University
Master of Arts in Business Management -
Webster University
Bachelor of Professional Studies -
Barry University