ABOUT SHELLY

My commitment to serving the public has always been a deeply ingrained part of who I am. Born and raised in Minot, ND, I came to Moorhead in 1990 to attend Moorhead State University and soon after, chose to make Moorhead my home. Over the past 30+ years, my husband Ron and I have both worked in this community, made lifelong friends in this community, raised two kids in this community, and as our roots in Moorhead deepened, became passionate about giving back to this community. 

I've brought my passion and experience for building relationships, advocating for others, and focusing first on the people and not the politics, to everything I do, and I hope to do it again if I'm chosen to serve MN House District 4A.

Throughout my career, I have worked at non-profit and government agencies advocating for victims of domestic violence and sexual assault. Since 2015, I have been the Special Projects Manager at the Minnesota Elder Justice Center delivering training and advocating for systems change for elder abuse victims. I'm also a nationally recognized expert in coordinating multi-disciplinary teams for cases of domestic violence, sexual assault, and elder abuse. 

I received both my graduate and undergraduate degrees from Minnesota State University - Moorhead (MSUM). My Masters degree is in Public Administration (2006), and my Bachelor of Science Degree is in Paralegal Studies (1993).  I am also a graduate of the National Victim Assistance Academy.

In early 2021, I was appointed to fulfill the rest of former Mayor Johnathan Judd's term, and was subsequently elected as Mayor in November 2022. Prior to that, I proudly represented Ward 2 on the  Moorhead City Council.

My time as mayor has been filled with remarkable progress that has strengthened the safety, services and growth of the city. A few of the accomplishments I am most proud of include the $500 million downtown Moorhead revitalization, the $41 million community center/library, and the $171.6 million 11th Street underpass project.

• The Coalition of Greater MN Cities
  • Board Member, 2022-Present
  • 1st Vice-Chair, 2023
  • Chair, 2024
• League of Minnesota Cities Board Member
• Metro Flood Diversion Authority (MFDA)  
  • Board Member, 2020-Present
  • Finance Committee, 2021-Present 
  • Planning Committee, Board Chair, 2021 and 2024
• Moorhead Clay County Joint Powers Authority Board 
• Red River Regional Dispatch Authority Board 
  • Vice-Chair, 2023
• City of Moorhead Board of Appeals & Equalization