Dr. Proctor is the Director of Women’s Policy for Governor John Bel Edwards. In this role, she serves the State of Louisiana by promoting, developing and nurturing roles for Louisiana’s Women Leaders as well as aiding, promoting, and facilitating programs that enhance opportunities for women in the State of Louisiana.

Dr. Shanta Proctor has a lifetime mission of being a catalyst for change and positively affecting people’s lives. Dedicated to progressive leadership, Shanta was the Top Graduate of Political Science in the Nelson Mandela School of Public Policy and Urban Affairs at Southern University; and earned a master’s and doctorate degree (Ph.D.) in Human Resource Education & Workforce Development with a concentration in Community Development from Louisiana State University (LSU). She has worked extensively with community development organizations, nonprofits and Women’s organizations. In 2016, Shanta’s consulting firm was awarded a business expansion grant focusing on aircraft maintenance. Her career has included a multitude of experiences, including being a business owner, serving as Director of the National Women’s Council and assuming leadership roles at the U.S. Census Bureau, Louisiana Senate, Louisiana Legislative Black Caucus, international relief work, and teaching at LSU. In 2006, she was appointed as Executive Director of the Governor’s Office on Women’s Policy. As the first African-American and youngest person in this role, her leadership was essential in establishing strategic public partnerships, statewide women’s conferences and helping to develop “Louisiana’s Women Leaders,” a campaign to highlight amazing talent and barrier- breaking women. After working in an executive capacity for two governors, she transitioned to consulting work, focusing on community impact studies, evaluation and data reporting. In 2016, she was appointed by Governor John Bel Edwards as the Director of Women’s Policy for his administration, working to address many women’s issues such as pay equality, minimum wage, and domestic violence.

Dr. Proctor was recently featured as a panelist at the nationally known Essence Empowerment Conference during the 2017 Essence Festival. A mother of three children, Dr. Proctor has received numerous awards and serves of the boards of the LA Women’s Foundation and BREC (East Baton Rouge Recreation and Parks Commission). She is a member of Women in Aerospace and additionally helps with community activities such as Jack and Jill of America, Women’s Council of Greater Baton Rouge, the Pennsylvania Coalition Against Domestic Violence Women of Color Network, and the Southern Regional Education Board (SREB) Doctoral Scholars Association.