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Shannon Roach Halberstadt is a creative economy strategist and public-sector leader working to expand Washington State’s creative industries as drivers of economic growth, innovation, and cultural vitality. She currently serves as Creative Economy Sector Lead at the Washington State Department of Commerce, where she develops statewide partnerships, programs, and policy initiatives that support sectors including music, film, art, design, gaming, and other creative businesses. Her work focuses on strengthening Washington’s $119 billion creative economy by advancing industry development, workforce opportunities, and cross-sector collaboration. Prior to joining the Department of Commerce, Shannon served as Chief Executive Officer of Artist Trust, where she provided strategic leadership for one of Washington’s leading artist support organizations. During her tenure, she expanded professional development and career-support programs for artists and oversaw eight grant programs distributing more than $2 million to artists across disciplines. Earlier in her career, Shannon served as Executive Director of Spokane Arts, where she helped establish the organization as a central advocate for Spokane’s creative sector, launching initiatives such as Spokane Arts Month and advancing research and policy to support cultural economic development. She also served as Executive Director of the Pacific Northwest Chapter of The Recording Academy (the GRAMMYs), where she led membership growth, professional development programming, and industry advocacy. Prior to that, Shannon worked in leadership roles at the Vera Project and Old Firehouse, producing all-ages music and art with young people. Shannon has also been deeply engaged in community leadership and cultural policy. She has served on numerous boards and advisory bodies, including as Board Chair of Wheelhouse, a member of the Executive Committee of Inspire Washington, and as a mayoral appointee to both the Seattle Music Commission and the Seattle Center Advisory Commission. Across her career, Shannon has worked at the intersection of arts, industry, and policy advancing a vision of Washington State as a national and global leader in the creative economy.