The protagonist of the Mass Effect (Series) series. Shepard is a graduate of the Systems Alliance N7 special forces program and the Executive Officer (and later Commanding Officer) of the SSV Normandy, as well as the first human to join the Spectres, an elite special task force for the Citadel Council. Shepard's mission is the protection of the galaxy by any means necessary.
As Shepard is a customizable player avatar, they can be male or female.