Meet The Founder

I’m Paula, the founder of Signal Shepherd Telecom Solutions. My career began in 1984 as a certified programmer, back when technology was still being shaped. That early foundation taught me to see systems clearly, respect the details, and build with intention.

I entered telecom through the restaurant industry, where I quickly became known for doing what others hadn’t imagined yet. I led one of the earliest VoIP deployments in the country in 1994, connecting 84 locations long before VoIP was mainstream. I also made my company the first restaurant group to place online orders with Sysco, proving that digital transformation wasn’t a trend — it was a practical path to operational excellence.

That same energy carried into my 18 years at McKinsey, where I ran global telecom operations at a scale most teams never touch. I negotiated, contracted, and provisioned thousands and thousands of data circuits across the globe, often managing volumes that would normally require an entire department. On top of that, I delivered more than 20 new‑construction office builds and relocations every year, each one executed with precision and zero disruption. I deployed, dismantled, and relocated POPs worldwide, including implementing robotic cable management long before automation became standard.

Contract governance became one of my strongest disciplines. I rewrote carrier agreements with language that eliminated early termination fees, prevented forced bundling, and secured three‑year renewal terms with only a 12‑month commitment. These structures protected organizations from unnecessary spend and gave them flexibility most leaders don’t realize is possible.

My credibility comes from four decades of hands‑on delivery — not certificates on a wall. I’ve led global telecom operations, architected multimillion‑dollar network transformations, and restored financial and operational health across complex environments. When something doesn’t add up, I’m the one brought in to find the truth.

Signal Shepherd exists for one reason: to bring stewardship back into telecom. I help organizations uncover waste, rebuild broken systems, and create infrastructure that actually works — not just on paper, but in the real world where uptime, accuracy, and accountability matter.

If you want a partner who sees the whole system, protects your spend, and tells you the truth every time, you’re in the right place. Let’s have a conversation.