Entrepreneur. Strategist. Builder of People, Brands & Businesses.
IMPACT & COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT
BUILDING SOMETHING BIGGER THAN BUSINESS
Shelly Gould Peterson believes meaningful leadership extends beyond the workplace. It strengthens communities, creates opportunities, elevates important stories, and helps others recognize what is possible.
Through board service, business advocacy, mentorship, economic development, and community storytelling, Shelly brings people and organizations together to build lasting regional impact.
UNITED WAY OF CARLTON AND PINE COUNTY AREA
As Board President, Shelly helps support the organization’s mission, strategic direction, community partnerships, and regional impact.
Her leadership focuses on bringing people together around shared priorities, strengthening relationships, supporting responsible planning, and helping the organization continue to make a meaningful difference in the communities it serves.
Areas of impact include:
• Board leadership
• Strategic planning
• Community partnerships
• Regional collaboration
• Volunteerism
• Organizational growth
HIDDEN GEMS · TALKING BUSINESS
Shelly is the founder and organizer of The Hidden Gems of Cloquet, a community-focused initiative created in partnership with the City of Cloquet Economic Development to shine a spotlight on the businesses, entrepreneurs, organizations, and people that make Cloquet unique. Started in 2021, she has interviewed told the story of over 230 business within the City of Cloquet.
The initiative was built around a simple idea: some of a community’s greatest assets are the ones people drive past every day without realizing the story behind them.
Through The Hidden Gems of Cloquet, Shelly helped bring greater visibility to local businesses, encourage residents and visitors to explore the community, and create meaningful connections between businesses and the people they serve. The initiative reflects her belief that strong communities are built by telling local stories, creating connections, and intentionally supporting the people who invest in the places they call home.
ECONOMIC AND BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT
Economic development has been a consistent thread throughout Shelly Gould Peterson’s career—from leading business development for major construction operations to supporting entrepreneurs, strengthening local businesses, developing workforce strategies, and helping communities position themselves for growth.
Shelly served for nearly a decade on the City of Cloquet Economic Development Authority, including serving as President of the EDA. Her work provided firsthand experience with the relationship between business growth, workforce, infrastructure, housing, development, government, and the long-term economic health of a community.
CLOQUET AREA CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
Shelly has a long history of involvement with the Cloquet Carlton County Chamber, including serving as Chair of the Business Enhancement Committee. Her leadership in that role included advocating for projects designed to strengthen commerce, tourism, quality of life, and connectivity—including early efforts to extend the Munger Trail toward Cloquet.
Her contributions to the Chamber and local business community have been recognized with the Chamber’s Business Enhancement Chair Leadership Award and Volunteer of the Year recognition.
Shelly has also served as a trainer and speaker for the Chamber’s leadership programming, helping emerging and established leaders understand personal branding, professional purpose, networking, business development, and the role strong leaders play in building stronger communities.
