Dr. Marcella Shelby

Dr. Shelby joined PSL as the Strategic Initiatives Officer in August 2020.  As SIO, Marcella oversees business and economic development initiatives, and student programs.  Marcella brings over 20 years of experience working in community and economic development.  

Dr. Shelby started her career in program management for nonprofit organizations in Texas with a focus on family and community empowerment.  In 2005, she began working with the National Association of Latino Elected and Appointed Officials (NALEO) Educational Fund, a national nonprofit involved in increasing Latino civic engagement and participation.  At NALEO, she developed governance curriculum and lead trainings for elected and appointed officials throughout the country. She served as Deputy Director of Constituency Services and Director of Strategic Initiatives at NALEO.  

Since 2015, Marcella has worked as a business and strategy consultant for small businesses and nonprofits, and served as faculty member, teaching both undergraduate and graduate courses. She has taught economics, public policy and administration, business statistics and research methods at New Mexico State University, Dona Ana Community College, California Lutheran University, Oxnard College and Moorpark College.   

Marcella holds a Doctorate in Economic Development from New Mexico State University, a Masters of Public Administration and Bachelors of Science from Texas Tech University.  Marcella met her husband while they were students at NMSU, and they are the parents of three boys ages 5, 7 and 18 years old.