Board of Directors & Staff

Shanna Goodman is an economic development leader, business strategist, and fifth-generation Kansan with a passion for growing resilient rural communities. As Executive Director of Pottawatomie County Economic Development, she leads regional strategies that attract, retain, and expand businesses across diverse sectors—driving job creation, housing and infrastructure development, and long-term economic prosperity.

With more than 20 years of experience in business development, Shanna builds cross-sector partnerships and aligns public and private stakeholders to secure transformative investments. She has successfully leveraged millions in public and private funding by coordinating complex infrastructure projects, structuring competitive incentive proposals, and leading regional planning efforts across housing, workforce, and site readiness.

A longtime advocate for small business, Shanna also serves as a connector—linking entrepreneurs to mentors, capital, and key resources. Before her current role, she founded and ran a business development agency focused on helping service-based small businesses thrive, and authored the Marketing Made Simple book series and podcast. Her small business insights have been featured in Business Insider, Forbes, Create & Cultivate, and more.

In addition to her day-to-day work, Shanna serves as Chair of the Flint Hills Regional Council Economic Development Advisory Coalition, Advisor for the Childcare Business Initiative, and sits on multiple regional boards supporting economic and community development, including Manhattan Chamber of Commerce and Kaw Valley Chamber of Commerce.

Whether leading regional collaborations, supporting local employers, or strengthening infrastructure to support future growth, Shanna brings both entrepreneurial grit and strategic insight to the work of building vibrant communities in Kansas.