Shelley is a lifelong Montanan, born and raised in Great Falls. She is a retired school librarian and currently advocates for libraries at the state, regional, and national levels as a member of the Montana Library Association and the Mountain Plains Library Association. Shelley is a trained and certified foresight practitioner and transformational coach, as well as a certified Law for Librarians trainer. Shelley is also the chairperson for the Great Falls Committee for the League of Women Voters of the Helena Area, and is working toward forming a full League in Great Falls.