Director, Public Affairs and Outreach -Sheli Sweeney

michelle.sweeney@ks.gov, 785- 940-1221

Michelle (Sheli) Sweeney became Public Affairs Officer for the Kansas Office of Veterans Services (KOVS) in December 2024. 

As Public Affairs Director, she managed the communications, outreach and public relations efforts for the agency.

Prior to joining for KOVS, Sweeney retired from VA Eastern Kansas Health Care System as the Outreach Coordinator. She has experience in the fields of public administration, funeral services, community mental health, aging services, and advocacy for Veterans and their Families.

Sheli holds a Master’s Degree in Public Administration from the University of Kansas, a graduate of the Kansas Public Health Leadership Institute, a Certified Mediator with the Supreme Court of Kansas-Office of Judicial Administration, and Certified Funeral Services Associate.

Sweeney served in the Kansas Air National Guard, 190^th Air Refueling Wing, retiring after 20 years as a Major.  Her major deployments include Operation Desert Shield and Storm, Operation Deny Flight, NATO mission to Europe, and Global War on Terror. 

Sheli is married to Mr. Mark Sweeney, a retired Kansas Air National Guardsman, and their daughter, Katherine Sweeney, is an attorney in the Kansas City area.