Ambassador

Shawn Bell is a passionate community leader and advocate dedicated to creating opportunities for connection, collaboration, and growth throughout the Menifee community. As the founder of Black Menifee, she works to celebrate culture, support local businesses, and foster meaningful relationships that strengthen the community. Through events, partnerships, and outreach, Shawn has helped create a welcoming space where businesses and residents can connect and thrive together.

As an Ambassador for the Menifee Valley Chamber of Commerce, Shawn enjoys building relationships, supporting local entrepreneurs, and encouraging community engagement. Her passion for service and her commitment to uplifting others continue to make a positive impact throughout Menifee.

I’m a hands-on technology leader with 20+ years of experience operating, supporting, and evolving enterprise systems in production environments. Over time, my focus has expanded beyond systems themselves to something just as critical: Helping people understand and effectively use them. My background spans systems administration, infrastructure operations, and platform ownership, alongside leadership roles partnering with executives, engineers, and cross-functional teams to drive adoption through clear use cases, practical workflows, and steady execution. As a VMware Certified Instructor (VCI), I’ve trained hundreds of engineers—translating complex infrastructure concepts into structured, approachable learning. In leadership roles, I’ve applied that same mindset to build scalable SOPs, training materials, and operational playbooks that improve consistency, reduce friction, and elevate team performance. More recently, I’ve been working hands-on with AI tools such as ChatGPT, Copilot, and MidJourney to support research, documentation, automation, and decision-making—focusing on how these tools can be thoughtfully integrated into real-world IT and business workflows.

Mary Carnes is a dedicated community leader, passionate advocate for the arts, and longtime Menifee resident who has spent decades serving her community. As President of Arts Council Menifee, she works to expand opportunities for local artists while promoting arts, culture, and creative experiences that enrich the community. She also serves on the Board of the Menifee Valley Community Cupboard and is an active Ambassador for the Menifee Valley Chamber of Commerce.

Known for her servant's heart and unwavering commitment to volunteerism, Mary has helped bring countless community events, charitable initiatives, and arts programs to life. Her dedication has earned her numerous honors, including being named the City of Menifee's 2025 Citizen of the Year and, most recently, being recognized as the 2026 California Woman of the Year for the 63rd Assembly District by Assemblywoman Natasha Johnson. Mary believes that strong communities are built through service, collaboration, and creating opportunities for others to connect and thrive.

I’ve worked as a ghostwriter, marketing strategist, and content consultant for businesses ranging from local shops to 8-figure brands. I’ve spoken on stage across the US and internationally, including at VeeCon, Podcast Movement, and Social Media Marketing World. I’m especially passionate about helping local businesses simplify their content marketing and social media so they can focus on running their business.

Bill Zimmerman is a former Mayor of Menifee who has dedicated years to serving and strengthening the local community. He remains actively involved through his work with the Menifee Valley Historical Association, helping preserve and share the city's rich history, and serves as Board President for the Boys & Girls Club of Inland Valley, supporting programs that empower and inspire local youth. Bill's longstanding commitment to civic leadership and community service reflects his passion for making Menifee a stronger place to live, work, and thrive.