After graduating in 1997 with a Masters’ degree in Health Education and Promotion from UNI, Kelly began working as the Health and Wellness coordinator for Mercy Medical Center-North Iowa in Mason City, where she created Kailo (pronounced Ky-lo), a non-traditional approach to worksite health promotion that focused on building relationships and resilience as a way to reduce stress, depression, burnout, and fatigue among health care workers. Kailo became internationally recognized for its innovation and success and ultimately was awarded over one million dollars from Health Canada to replicate the approach in multiple health care organizations in the Toronto area.

Kelly has been a frequent speaker and consultant on the topic of holistic worksite health promotion. She has authored many articles in both trade and peer-reviewed journals. In addition, she taught health education and promotion classes for three colleges, including UNI, where she taught Worksite Health Promotion in the School of HPELS from 2006-2008.

Today, Kelly is the Director of Culture, Change and Engagement for Trinity Health in Livonia, Michigan.  Trinity Health is the fourth largest Catholic health care system in the U.S. with 65,000 employees and Ministry Organizations in 12 states. In this role, Kelly continues to influence the health and well-being of health care workers through the lens of organizational and leadership development. She holds certifications in change management and coaching.

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I am so grateful for my time and experience at UNI - as a grad student, an alumnus and an adjunct instructor.  What has impressed me most over the years is how much the faculty truly cares about their students, not only while they are in the classroom, but long after they graduate.  I consider the University of Northern Iowa my academic home.