FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Evan Haddad
Public Information Officer
ehaddad@goed.nv.gov 775-684-9973
June 4, 2026
Las Vegas, Nev. –The Nevada Governor’s Office of Economic Development (GOED) is pleased to announce that Melanie Sheldon, the agency’s senior director of business development, has been awarded the 2026 Top 50 Economic Developer Award by Consultant Connect.
The award recognizes 50 professionals who have demonstrated exceptional dedication, innovation and effectiveness in driving economic growth and prosperity in their communities.
“I am honored to receive this recognition from Consultant Connect and to be included among such an accomplished group of economic development professionals from across the country,” said Sheldon. “Economic development is ultimately about creating opportunities for people and communities to thrive. I’m grateful to work alongside an incredible team at GOED and with partners across Nevada who share a commitment to strengthening our economy, supporting businesses and creating quality jobs for Nevadans.”
Sheldon, who joined GOED in 2016, administers Nevada’s incentive programs and supports company expansions, recruitment and workforce development programs. Thanks to her strategic leadership, Sheldon has played a part in helping over 170 companies establish or expand their operations in Nevada, which has resulted in over 27,000 jobs and $11.9 billion investment in the state.
Sheldon has contributed to numerous high-impact projects across Nevada, including Redwood Materials, which is helping advance the state’s “Lithium Loop” initiative; Tesla’s Semi manufacturing facility and Gigafactory Nevada expansion; Google’s first facility in Nevada; and Lithium Americas Corp.’s Thacker Pass project, a major U.S.-based lithium mining and processing operation.
“Melanie is a true leader in her field and has done an amazing job of advancing Nevada’s position as a leader in critical minerals, manufacturing and more,” said GOED Executive Director Tom Burns. “This award is a well-deserved moment of recognition for someone who shows up every day and delivers for our state.”
In 2025, Sheldon was named Trailblazing Woman of the Year, an award sponsored by ExxonMobil and presented at the 2025 Fastmarkets Volta Awards. The award recognized outstanding female leaders who have demonstrated exceptional leadership, innovation and industry impact.
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About the Governor’s Office of Economic Development
Created during the 2011 session of the Nevada Legislature, the Governor’s Office of Economic Development is the result of a collaborative effort between the Nevada Legislature and the Governor’s Office to restructure economic development in the state. GOED’s role is to promote a robust, diversified and prosperous economy in Nevada, to stimulate business expansion and retention, encourage entrepreneurial enterprise, attract new businesses and facilitate community development.