TOM SHEFCHUNAS

Shef (formally known as Tom Shefchunas) serves as the Executive Director of Youth Specialties, a non-profit organization committed to resourcing youth workers to develop the next generation of youth leaders. His passion involves working with, developing, and consulting volunteer and professional youth workers all over the world. 

Whether speaking to volunteer youth workers, professional youth workers, parents, or other leaders, Shef combines a vast wealth of wisdom and experience with his own unique brand of dry humor and clear and compelling principle-driven insight. Shef employs his 20 plus years of experience with teenagers and adult leaders, including work as a teacher, a coach, a high school principal, student pastor and most importantly, a father.

Shef is the author of several books, including co-authoring Lead Small with Reggie Joiner. Shef holds a degree in Physics and Education from Grove City College, a Masters in Educational Leadership from Georgia State, and a Masters in Biblical Studies from Dallas Theological Seminary.  

Shef and his beautiful wife Julie live in Cumming, Georgia with their three kids.