Shelley Zumwalt

As Executive Director of the Oklahoma Tourism and Recreation Department (OTRD), Shelley Zumwalt is a powerful voice in Oklahoma state government and brings with her a rich history of state service through her passionate commitment to driving change in government. 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 role as Executive Director for the Oklahoma Tourism and Recreation Department, Zumwalt is driving change through strategic initiatives and sharing her passion for Oklahoma. Zumwalt is 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 has 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.