Shelley Zumwalt is a powerful voice in Oklahoma and brings with her a rich history of state service and
private sector experience through her passionate commitment to driving change and elevating her home
state.

Born and raised in Oklahoma, Zumwalt’s journey in public service began over a decade ago when she
joined the Office of State Finance as an entry-level Budget Analyst. Since then, she’s served in various key
roles within state government, including: Public Affairs Director for the Office of the Governor, Executive
Director for the Oklahoma Employment Security Commission and leadership roles at the Office of
Management and Enterprise Services and the Oklahoma Healthcare Authority.

In her most recent role as Executive Director for the Oklahoma Tourism and Recreation Department,
Zumwalt drove change through strategic initiatives and sharing her passion for Oklahoma. In her time at
OTRD Zumwalt committed to making the state a top-tier destination by showcasing its beauty, culture
and heritage. In 2022, Oklahoma’s tourism operations attracted more than 18 million visitors, generated
$833 million in state and local tax revenue and supported over 103,000 jobs. Zumwalt helped elevate the
profile and shine a spotlight on the economic impact of the tourism sector in Oklahoma which brings in
more out of state dollars to Oklahoma than any other industry in the state, aside from the energy sector.
Prior to her time leading state tourism, Zumwalt led the Oklahoma Employment Security Commission,
taking over the agency in May of 2020 in the middle of the COVID-19 pandemic. While there she
oversaw the distribution of over $5 billion in unemployment benefits to support Oklahomans during a
critical time of need. She did this while also transforming antiquated systems and technology and
navigating multiple federal and state challenges.

In October of 2024 Zumwalt retired from state service after 13 years of commitment to bettering
Oklahoma and taking on the toughest of problems. She is currently looking for her next challenge while
taking on a small number of consulting clients in areas she’s passionate about.
Zumwalt lives in Oklahoma City with her husband and visits her daughter often in New York City where
she is attending NYU. She is a member of the Young Presidents Organization and is active in many other
civic and community groups. Zumwalt comes from a family with members who have served in the
military on both sides of her family and feels fortunate to have grown up in a family that instilled in her a
sense of gratitude for the sacrifices military members and their families make to protect our freedoms.