Ebony N. Shelton

Ebony N. Shelton serves as the Chief Administrative Officer for the County of San Diego. 

Ebony is a visionary leader with a distinguished career spanning nearly three decades of dedicated service to the County of San Diego. Beginning her journey at the San Diego Superior Court in 1997, Ebony has ascended through various human resource and financial roles across multiple County business groups and departments, honing her expertise in strategic planning, financial management, and administrative leadership.

In her previous role as the Deputy Chief Administrative Officer and Chief Financial Officer, her responsibilities encompassed  monitoring the annual County budget, providing administrative leadership, and overseeing operational functions within the Finance and General Group. Her adept coordination ensured alignment with the strategic plan and County goals, fostering a culture of efficiency and accountability.

Ebony also served as the Director of the Office of Financial Planning. In this position, she steered the County’s strategic financial planning policies and facilitated critical decision-making processes for the multi-billion-dollar annual budget. Her tenure also saw her serve as the principal budget and fiscal advisor, demonstrating her astute financial acumen and commitment to prudent resource allocation.

Ebony’s educational background includes an Undergraduate Degree in Business Administration from the University of Phoenix and an Executive Master’s Degree in Public Administration with an emphasis in Public Sector Leadership from California State University at Northridge.

A native San Diegan and proud Afro-Latina of Black and Salvadoran ancestry, Ebony understands the impacts of history on Black and Latino communities. This is at the foundation of Ebony’s commitment to the health and economic prosperity and overall well-being of the county. She views her role as both a professional aspiration and a personal privilege, passionately contributing to the county’s growth and development on a broader scale.In her personal life, Ebony finds joy in spending time at the beach and building lasting memories with her husband Cecil and their three daughters.