Leadership Team
Brandon Shultz
CEO & President of Schools
Brandon Shultz serves as President & CEO of Southlands Christian Schools, where he provides strategic leadership for the school’s mission of cultivating globally minded disciples who impact society for the glory of God. Having served Southlands in multiple roles—including teacher, administrator, high school principal, and Superintendent of Schools—he brings both deep institutional knowledge and a long-standing commitment to Christ-centered learning.
Brandon began his career in education more than two decades ago while living in Taichung, Taiwan, where he studied Mandarin and served for seven years as a missionary, associate pastor, and administrator in a bilingual school. That formative season shaped both his heart for ministry and his belief that education can be a powerful avenue for discipleship, leadership development, and lasting cultural impact.
In 2007, Brandon and his family relocated to Southern California and joined the Southlands community, where he has continued to invest in students, families, and faculty through a wide range of academic and leadership roles. He holds a Master of Science in Educational Leadership and is passionate about building effective Kingdom schools that unite academic excellence, spiritual formation, and innovative delivery models to serve families well.
As President & CEO, Brandon is committed to strengthening Southlands for the next generation through spiritual formation, academic excellence, and forward-looking growth. He believes deeply in the power of Christian schooling to shape lives, equip young people to follow God’s calling, and bring lasting, generational change to families and communities through the truth of God’s Word and the transforming work of His Kingdom.
Brandon and his wife, Wendy, have three children—two grown and one school-aged—and are grateful to serve families through the ministry of Christian education.
Dr. Jesse Gentile
High School Principal
Dr. Jesse Gentile oversees all aspects of Southland's overseas partner schools. He has been involved in all levels of education for much of the last two decades during which he taught a variety of middle and high school courses in the humanities. He received a B.A. in Social Science education from the University of South Florida. In 2008 he received an MS in Instructional Design from Florida State University. While there he taught undergraduate courses on Technology in Education. Jesse worked as an instructional designer for an IT security company (Mile2) and has run a small nonprofit for 10+ years. In 2013 he completed an MA in philosophy (Biola University) and went on to complete a PhD in 2023. The focus of his research was on "Critical realism" which looks at how we know things in various fields. He has been married over 20 years to Ella, an Orange County attorney and is the father of two school age children. He is heavily invested in working with artificial intelligence and thinking about the big questions of life.
Hanna Kim
K-8 Principal
Mrs. Kim holds a BA in Education from the University of California, Irvine and a MS in Curriculum and Instruction from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. Since 2016, she has been an integral part of the Southlands family, starting as the Elementary ELL Teacher, then transitioning to the 6th-Grade Teacher, Mentor Teacher, and finally assuming the role of Elementary and Middle School Vice Principal. Mrs. Kim has a wealth of experience in education, having previously taught in the Garden Grove Unified School District for six years. Committed to lifelong learning, she aspires to be a compassionate leader, drawing from her diverse background in both public and private education sectors. Mrs. Kim's mission is to ensure that students have a fulfilling educational journey at every stage. She firmly believes in the power of Christian educators to inspire and empower students in every moment and for every opportunity.
Mary Sheriff
High School Vice Principal
Mary Sheriff has been in Christian education for over 33 years at Southlands Christian Schools. During her career at Southlands, she has served in a variety of capacities: teacher, the high school Associated Student Body (ASB) advisor, and an administrator in elementary, middle, and high school. Mary holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology and a Master of Arts in Educational Leadership. She is currently pursuing her Doctorate in Organizational Leadership and a John Maxwell Leadership team coaching certificate.
Mrs. Sheriff’s passion is to see Southlands’ mission statement fulfilled. “Our mission is to educate students in excellence and integrity, to lead and impact society by fulfilling their destinies for the glory of God.” When students graduate from high school, she desires them to have academic awareness, leadership skills, and a vibrant relationship with God that will enable them to impact others and succeed wherever they go.
Wendy Shultz
Business Development Officer
Wendy Shultz has worked in Christian education and ministry for more than two decades. She holds a Bachelor of Arts in Literature and Culture and began her career as a teacher and administrator at an international school in Taiwan. Since joining Southlands Christian Schools in 2007, she has led strategic initiatives in program development, enrollment growth, international partnerships, and organizational expansion. She has pursued executive education through Harvard Business School Online's Strategy Execution program, further strengthening her expertise in strategic planning and organizational execution.
Wendy's passion is advancing God's Kingdom through Christ-centered education. She believes every child should know their identity and purpose in Jesus Christ and is committed to partnering with churches, schools, and educational organizations to expand access to high-quality Christian education. Her desire is to equip the next generation to fulfill God's calling on their lives and make a lasting impact for His glory.
Lorraine Smith
Preschool Director
Mrs. Smith has been a part of the Southlands family since 1988, initially as a teacher’s aide, then a teacher and ultimately became the director. Always having a passion for children’s ministries, she knew upon graduation from high school what her life’s calling would be. Her desire is to instill in our students the knowledge that they are children of the One True King; that they are beautifully created, loved, equipped and empowered to influence the world for Christ.
Candace Johnson, MBA
SSI Academic Administrator
Candace Johnson is a veteran, educator, and advocate for special education. She served for nine years in the California Army National Guard, where she developed leadership skills and a strong sense of service. During her military career, Candace earned a Bachelor of Science in Justice Studies from Grand Canyon University, a renowned Christian institution. She began her education career teaching middle and high school special education, where she focused on creating inclusive and supportive learning environments. Her dedication and leadership led to her promotion as an administrator, overseeing all Special Education teachers. In this role, she worked to ensure students with special needs received the resources and support they needed to thrive. Candace’s career reflects her passion for service, justice, and education. In her free time, she enjoys spending time with her family and four legged friends.