Senator Shelli Yoder was elected to the Indiana Senate in 2020 and currently serves as Minority Leader for the Indiana Senate Democratic Caucus. She is also a Senior Lecturer at Indiana University’s Kelley School of Business, where she teaches communication and professional skills.

Driven by a deep commitment to public service, Senator Yoder holds a Master’s Degree in Counseling and Human Services from Indiana University South Bend and a Master’s in Divinity from Vanderbilt University. Her leadership and advocacy have earned her several distinctions, including the 2022 Friend of Public Education Award from the Indiana State Teachers Association and recognition from the State Legislative Leaders Foundation for her efforts in advancing bipartisanship. She was also a 2021 Bowen Fellow through the Council of State Governments’ Legislative Leadership Development program.

Before joining the Senate, she served on the Monroe County Council, where she worked to strengthen local governance, expand community resources and support policies that improve quality of life for Hoosiers.

Senator Yoder lives in Bloomington with her spouse and three children.