Shelby Scarpa joined DCLRS in 2023, as Senior Vice President of Government Relations. She previously served as Assistant Commissioner and Chief of Staff at the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services for the statewide elected Agriculture Commissioner and member of Florida’s Cabinet. There, Shelby oversaw 19 divisions, including agricultural water policy; energy; aquaculture; food, nutrition, and wellness; agricultural environmental services; food safety; fruit and vegetables; animal industry; and the Florida Forest Service. Most notably, she led the creation and implementation of Florida’s model inaugural hemp program, advocacy efforts around the state’s challenging international trade issues, and the department’s emergency responses to COVID-19 and multiple natural disasters.

Shelby is particularly interested in sustainability and efficiency through climate-smart and innovative ag practices. Her expertise includes legislative, regulatory, budget, and political strategy, as well as messaging, communications, and crisis management. She has over 20 years of experience in organizing, coalition-building, electoral politics, and fundraising, acting in senior advisory roles to federal, state, and local candidates across the country. In 2018, she managed Nikki Fried’s long-shot, successful campaign to become the first woman elected Ag Commissioner in the state of Florida.

A native of Florida, Shelby earned a B.A. and M.A. in Anthropology from Florida Atlantic University, focusing on culture and politics.