Shelly was born and raised in Indianapolis and has been actively involved in the Indianapolis LGBTQ+ events and advocacy community for more than 15 years. She has served in a variety of leadership positions such as the first and third president of the Pride of Indy Bands, a board member for Indy Pride, and the chair of the LGBTQ+ Faculty Staff Council at IUPUI. She has proven to be a dynamic and informative speaker on a variety of topics such as career development for queer students, mentor programs, inclusivity in the workplace, and personal branding. As a lesbian, wife, and mother, Shelly is passionate about ensuring that LGBTQ+ people feel connected to each other and are provided with equitable opportunities.