Heather M. Shepherd

Heather Shepherd's passion for storytelling was ignited as a child while sitting in the audience of an outdoor theater in Ohio. Crickets chirped filling the night air, and the grand show, hooves of live horses pounded, and the rich musicality of it all swept her away forever. She knew this was something she wanted to be a part of. As a young adult, Heather made the decision to study Zoology/Biological Sciences at The Ohio State University, where she explored her passion for the animal kingdom and the environments in we live. Upon graduating, she was a SCUBA diver and animal care professional caring for various exotic/wild animals such as dolphins, manatee, and sharks along with other endangered species. She was then presented with the opportunity to bridge her interests, taking her knowledge of animals and her passion for storytelling into the world of feature animation. Heather has built a stellar reputation working for Disney, DreamWorks, Bluesky Studios, and Jim Henson Creature Shop. Starting at Walt Disney Feature Animation, she honed her craft while working on films such as Mulan, Lilo and Stich, Tarzan, and Brother Bear, among others. As the industry transitioned, so did Heather becoming skilled at 3d digital sculptor. Eager to combine her rich and various experiences, Heather has made the creative dive into writing.