Her Story
About Shanda
Shanda Wilson serves as Assistant City Controller for the City of Lincoln, Nebraska, where she plays a key role in supporting the city’s financial operations, accountability, and responsible stewardship of public resources. She joined the City of Lincoln in 2016 after building foundational experience in medical billing for workers’ compensation and has since advanced through various areas of finance, including payroll and auditing. Today, she leads the team responsible for overseeing outgoing payments, ensuring compliance with applicable rules, regulations, and established financial practices.
With 16 years of experience in accounting, Shanda has developed expertise in financial oversight, expenditure management, payment reconciliation, and reporting processes. Her responsibilities include ensuring expenditures are accurately categorized, maintaining financial accuracy, and supporting the city’s annual financial reporting efforts. Through her commitment to detail, integrity, and continuous improvement, she helps strengthen the financial processes that support effective municipal operations. Her professional journey reflects a non-traditional educational path centered on business and administration, demonstrating the value of experience, dedication, and lifelong learning.
Beyond her professional responsibilities, Shanda is actively engaged in initiatives that promote innovation, equity, and community service. She serves on the One Lincoln Advisory Committee connected to the Government Alliance on Racial Equity and the City’s AI User Steering Committee, and previously completed a term on the Nebraska Foster Care Review Board. Shanda attributes her success to giving her full effort, practicing strong stewardship of taxpayer resources, and embracing opportunities to grow through data-driven decision-making. Outside of work, she values family and music while continuing to contribute to meaningful public service initiatives.
Her Interview
Ten minutes with Shanda
01What do you attribute your success to?
I attribute my success to giving my best effort in everything I do, maintaining a strong commitment to integrity, and practicing responsible stewardship of city tax dollars. Throughout my career, I have challenged myself to continuously grow, take on new opportunities, and stretch beyond my comfort zone. By approaching each responsibility with dedication, accountability, and a commitment to excellence, I am thankful to have been able to contribute meaningful value to my organization and to the community I serve.
02What’s the best career advice you’ve ever received?
The best career advice I ever received was from my former boss, Micheal Despain, who encouraged me to recognize my value and aim higher. He helped me see that I was underestimating my own skills and potential, while also emphasizing the importance of using data and evidence-based decision-making to guide my work. His guidance inspired me to be more confident in my abilities, embrace growth opportunities, and approach challenges with a thoughtful, informed perspective.
03What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
My advice to young women entering any industry is to always remain open to growth, continue developing your skills, and build meaningful professional relationships through networking. Success is not achieved alone, so as you advance in your career, bring others with you by supporting, mentoring, and uplifting those around you. Remember that you are a whole person, and investing in your personal growth, confidence, and well-being is just as important as developing professionally. Embrace every opportunity to learn, lead, and make a positive impact.
04What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?
The biggest challenge and opportunity in my field right now is keeping pace with rapidly advancing technology, particularly in the area of fraud prevention. As fraudsters continue to develop more sophisticated tools and methods, organizations must remain proactive, adaptable, and innovative in identifying and addressing emerging risks. It is essential to stay informed, strengthen financial controls, and leverage technology effectively while maintaining our responsibility as stewards of taxpayer dollars. By embracing new solutions and continuing to improve our processes, we can help protect public resources and promote greater transparency and accountability.
05What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
The values that are most important to me in both my work and personal life are family, connection, and appreciation for the experiences that enrich our lives. I am deeply family-focused, and my two children and husband are a constant source of inspiration and motivation. Music is also a significant part of my life, as I enjoy exploring different genres, studying meaningful lyrics, and discovering new music and cultures from around the world. These passions have helped shape my perspective, allowing me to appreciate diversity, creativity, and the importance of building meaningful connections with others.
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