Growing up in a small town in North Carolina, Sheba Person-Whitley always had a passion for public service. She studied as an undergrad at North Carolina State University, graduating with a bachelor’s degree in communication and public relations before getting her master’s in operations and project management at Southern New Hampshire University. After working in the private sector for a number of years, she got an opportunity to work for the economic development for North Carolina in 2008. Her career originally focused on international trade and foreign direct investment for both her home state and Louisiana.
However, she moved to California in 2017 to focus on local economic development. She was the economic development manager for Stockton when she was offered an opportunity to lead the Economic Development Board for Sonoma County. When she’s not managing the local economy, Sheba loves to cook, bake and enjoy highly competitive game nights with her high-school-sweetheart husband and their two kids, Kamryn, 15, and Charles, 6.
Where do you live now?
When I took the position with Sonoma County, we moved to a cute neighborhood in Rincon Valley. However, I regret to say that our family was subjected to racist attacks so we made the decision to move to Sacramento County.
What did you want to do when you were growing up?
I was fascinated with animals. I wanted to be either a zoologist or marine biologist.
Did you have a mentor that helped you get where you are today?
I had a couple great mentors who gave me fantastic advice. Some of the most sound advice I was given was to work hard and have a plan but, in addition, always be open to the possibilities of what life has to offer. In reality, not everything can be planned and sometimes life has another path, which you never could have imagined for yourself.
How competitive are you?
I’m very competitive with myself. Even as a young child, I wasn’t satisfied with 100. If there was extra credit available, I wanted those points, too.
What advice do you have for younger couples and newlyweds?
My advice would be to concentrate more on listening to your partner than being right.
Did you have a big family growing up? Any brothers or sisters?
My extended family is huge. My mother is 1 of 16 and I have over 40 first cousins on my maternal side alone. My nuclear family is much smaller; my parents have three daughters. I’m the middle girl.
What’s your favorite dish to make?
My family loves lemon pound cakes; I bake one almost every week. I think it reminds them of the South.
What band/album powers you through a long, tough day?
I love Earth, Wind and Fire. Listening to On Your Face, September or Shining Star always gives me an extra boost of energy.
If you and your family (including pets) had to evacuate your home at a moment’s notice, what’s one possession you’re saving and taking with you?
We lost our home to the Great Flood of 2016 in Louisiana and I’m so thankful that my husband grabbed all the family photos. So, certainly would be sure to grab the bin of family photos; digitized versions just aren’t the same.
If you could create and give an award to someone you know, what would the award be and to whom?
I would give a resiliency award to my mother. She is the epitome of strength and resilience.
Where would you ideally like to travel to once it’s safe?
One place on my bucket list is Victoria Falls, on the border between Zambia and Zimbabwe.
What do you consider your greatest professional achievement thus far?
Being the first Black woman to lead economic development in Sonoma County.
