Shelley Zumwalt

As Executive Director of the Oklahoma Department of Tourism and Recreation, Shelley Zumwalt brings with her a rich history of service to the State of Oklahoma and a passionate commitment to driving change in government. As a native Oklahoman, Shelley'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 the state government, including in the Office of the Governor under the Fallin Administration as Public Affairs Director, Chief of Communications and Strategic Engagement for the Oklahoma Health Care Authority and in multiple roles at the Office of Management and Enterprise Services.

Shelley expanded her commitment to the state as the Executive Director for the Oklahoma Employment Security Commission (OESC), where she took on the immense challenge of navigating the state through the height of the pandemic. Her unwavering dedication and innovative vision played a pivotal role by overseeing the distribution of over $5 billion in unemployment benefits and supporting Oklahomans during a critical time of need. Through her strategic initiatives and passion for Oklahoma, Shelley is committed to making the state a top-tier travel destination.