Making Life and Death Decisions: Brian Shepard at TEDxRVA

Brian Shepard, CEO of the United Network for Organ Sharing (UNOS), directs the efforts of more than 300 UNOS staff to ensure that the nation's transplant network efficiently and fairly serves the needs of transplant candidates and recipients, living donors and their family members, and medical transplant professionals. Shepard joined UNOS in 2010 as the director of policy and then served as chief operating officer and interim CEO before assuming the position he holds today.

Prior to joining UNOS, Shepard spent 15 years in various positions in Virginia state government, capped by a term as director of policy in Governor Timothy M. Kaine's administration. In that position, Brian worked with Governor Kaine on budget, legislative, and policy issues.

Brian was born in Richmond and grew up in Roanoke. He holds a bachelor's degree in history from Virginia Tech and did postgraduate work in peace studies at the University of Bradford, England. A decade ago, Shepard returned to the River City, where he today lives with his wife, Ellen, and their two sons. He can most often be found coaching one or both of the boys' Little League baseball teams in Byrd Park.

In the spirit of ideas worth spreading, TEDx is a program of local, self-organized events that bring people together to share a TED-like experience. At a TEDx event, TEDTalks video and live speakers combine to spark deep discussion and connection in a small group. These local, self-organized events are branded TEDx, where x = independently organized TED event. The TED Conference provides general guidance for the TEDx program, but individual TEDx events are self-organized.* (*Subject to certain rules and regulations)