Shelly James brings a strategic, community-centered perspective to her work, grounded in a lifelong belief in the power of arts and culture to strengthen local identity and civic life.

A Sacramento area native, Shelly attended San Juan Unified schools, where the arts played a formative role in her education. She played violin and viola in a string quartet, sang in choir for many years, and performed in school productions, experiences that shaped her belief that the arts build community, discipline, and new ways of thinking.

Shelly is a seasoned marketing and communications leader with more than three decades of experience across the public, nonprofit, and destination marketing sectors. She is the CEO of PorterCo, a full-service advertising agency where she leads strategy and brand for integrated campaigns that help organizations deepen connection, strengthen impact, and grow inclusive audiences.

Her commitment to community extends beyond her professional work. Shelly has served on several boards and advisory committees, including Social Venture Partners Sacramento and CalTravel, bringing collaborative leadership and strategic insight to governance, fundraising, and mission-driven growth.

She holds a Juris Doctor and a Bachelor of Arts in Communications from California State University, Sacramento. She knows first-hand the value of arts in public schools and believes early exposure to the arts helps students thrive both in and beyond the classroom.