Shelley Wax brings an extensive background working in both the public and private sectors. She began her career in the hospitality, entertainment, public relations, real estate, and commercial banking industries in New York and Los Angeles. Dedicated to the advancement of humanitarian causes, she entered the nonprofit arena to establish public/private partnerships, build collaborative relationships, leverage resources, and improve community relations.

Shelley has over 15 years of experience in designing, developing, implementing, managing, and promoting highly innovative initiatives utilizing best and promising practices. She has played a vital role in securing over $100 million in government and foundation grants to implement programs serving youth, adults, Veterans, and military families. She is recognized for her expertise in securing funds for numerous high-growth sector employment and training projects in the biomedical, healthcare, logistics, manufacturing, construction, and hospitality industries.

Shelley is a member of the Los Angeles Veterans Collaborative Career Advancement Working Group, an Intern Preceptor for the University of Southern California’s School of Social Work, and an Advisor to the Veterans Advocacy Group of America. She is responsible for establishing and managing the Wells Fargo NA Summer Youth Internship Program for the City of Los Angeles in association with the Los Angeles Chamber of Commerce serving 150 inner-city youth. She established and managed the first family literacy program for the Housing Authority of the City of Los Angeles and, as Founder of the Emerald Chariot Foundation, brought a dynamic early childhood literacy program to Head Start preschools located in South and East Los Angeles.

Shelley earned her bachelor’s degree from the State University of New York and an MA in Clinical Psychology from Antioch University, Los Angeles. She is a certified Family Court Mediator, a recipient of The Professional Veteran Shining Star Award, and a supporter of charities serving pets and veterans. She enjoys reading, writing, hiking, horseback riding and practicing Aikido.