Shelbi Cummings is the Rural Health Director at the Indiana Department of Health. She has over 25 years of multi-sector experience empowering individuals, organizations, and communities in achieving their health goals through direct education and policy, systems, and environmental change strategies. With an unwavering appreciation for community-based organizations, much of her work has focused on bringing resources and building capacity for organizations serving residents in disinvested neighborhoods. She has provided leadership support for multiple place-based initiatives including Great Places 2020, Diabetes Impact Project-Indianapolis Neighborhoods (DIP-IN), and Equitable Food Access Initiative-Indianapolis (EFAI).

Shelbi had previously served as mayoral appointee to the City of Indianapolis Food Access Advisory Commission and as Board Member for the Coalition of Homelessness Intervention and Prevention (CHIP). Shelbi earned her certification as a Community Health Worker (CHW) and has deployed the CHW model in multiple health equity efforts in Indiana. She also is a member of the Indiana Public Health Association. In her free time, Shelbi enjoys officiating collegiate track and field meets, running, hiking, reading, porch chats with neighbors, and spending time with her family, especially her grandson.