Melanie Sheldon, a prominent figure in Nevada's economic development landscape, has been honored with the Trailblazing Woman of the Year award at the 2025 Fastmarkets Voltas Awards. This accolade acknowledges her leadership and impact in advancing Nevada as a leader in battery supply chain development.
“With so many inspiring and accomplished women on the shortlist, I’m honored to have been selected for this award,” said Sheldon. “Serving the people of Nevada and working to diversify our state’s economy have been highlights of my career, and it’s incredibly rewarding to be recognized for doing so.”
Since joining the Governor’s Office of Economic Development (GOED) in 2016, Sheldon has contributed significantly to administering incentive programs and supporting company expansions, recruitment, and workforce development initiatives. Her efforts have facilitated over 120 companies relocating to Nevada, resulting in more than 16,000 jobs and $11.4 billion in investment.
“Melanie always represents the best of Nevada and has clearly positioned our state as a leader in lithium and battery technology,” said GOED Executive Director Tom Burns. “I’m proud to see her get this recognition.”
Before her tenure at GOED, Sheldon was involved with the Australian Taxation Office focusing on micro, small and medium enterprise compliance among other areas. She began her career at Ernst & Young's London headquarters.
“I’m passionate about economic development because it’s the foundation of resilient communities and shared prosperity,” stated Sheldon. “To me, economic development isn’t just about growth. It’s about creating meaningful opportunities and enabling local regions to thrive on their own terms.”
The Governor’s Office of Economic Development was established by the Nevada Legislature in 2011 with a mission to foster a diverse economy through business expansion, retention efforts, entrepreneurial encouragement, new business attraction, and community development facilitation.