Governor—Public Member Term: 12/1/2020 to 9/1/2024 Committees: Audit
Melanie M. Shelby is a public member of the State Bar of California Board of Trustees, appointed by Governor Newsom in 2020. Bringing with her 25-plus years of experience working with top-tier organizations, Ms. Shelby currently chairs the Audit Committee and serves as a Board Appointment Liaison.
A celebrated founder, corporate executive, and small business advocate, Ms. Shelby was the Managing Director at Gray, Greer, Shelby, and Vaughn, a public affairs firm with expertise in corporate supplier diversity, government relations, and strategic partnerships. She led $12.7B in business strategy, legislative advocacy, procurement, coalition building and outreach for brands such as Anschutz Entertainment Group, Comcast NBC Universal, Personal Insurance Federation of California, and other blue-chip clients.
Ms. Shelby is skilled at navigating complex legislative, regulatory, community, and for-profit networks, building consensus with decision makers, mobilizing constituencies, and shaping public dialogue to impact systemic change. In 2021, she introduced Primos Beverage Company, to ensure BIPOC owners thrive in the ultra-premium spirits industry, while utilizing diverse, women-owned, and small businesses throughout operations, production, and supply chain.
Ms. Shelby is active in various organizations, and a lifetime member of the UCLA Black Alumni Association, NAACP, and Black Women Organized for Political Action.
She is a graduate of UCLA.