Biography

Book Mary Kelly through The Keynote Curators.

From her days as a naval intelligence officer to her role as one of today’s most influential economists, Dr. Mary Kelly, Commander of the US Navy (Ret.), has carved out an unforgettable career in leadership. Former chief of police, professor, realtor, and director of human resources– Mary has spent over 25 years teaching and training more than 40,000 military and civilian personnel. She is now on a mission to spread her message of success to audiences worldwide, sharing the secrets to being a true leader in today’s workplace.

A high-energy keynote speaker, Mary Kelly is focused on using research, laughter, and experience to show professionals how to excel. Her relatable, no-nonsense approach inspires audiences to embrace their roles, surpass their goals, and plan for the future.

Mary is the author of 13 books on business growth, leadership, and today’s economy. She is a speaker, coach, and trainer who has worked with hundreds of organizations and companies across the globe.

Contact us for Mary Kelly’s fees and availability.

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Videos

Insights from Military Warrior Turned Leadership Expert Mary Kelly

Commander Mary Kelly, US Navy, PhD, CSP, AAGG on Leadership

Mary Kelly's advice on FSBOs - For Sale By Owner - Should You Do It?

Mary Kelly on How to Attract, Retain, Mentor, Evolve, and Develop Leaders A.R.M.E.D.

Mary Kelly Motivational Leadership Speaker Why Leaders Fail & 7 Prescriptions for Leadership Success

How to have a GREAT business start to the New Year!

Mary Kelly's FutureNomics: An Economic Snapshot for Business Leaders

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Speech TopicsExpand each topic to learn more

Navigating Turbulence: Leadership For Guiding Teams Through Crisis, Challenge, and Change

“Navigating Turbulence” equips leaders with the skills, strategies, and resilience needed to steer their teams through times of crisis, overcome challenges, and embrace change.

Strategic Leadership During Crisis:
- Refine the art of strategic decision-making under pressure.
- Develop crisis communication skills that inspire confidence and maintain team morale.
- Understand successful crisis management across various industries.
- Build Resilient and Happy Teams During Challenges
- Recognize the psychological dynamics of resilience and its impact on team performance.
- Foster a culture of adaptability and innovation within your team.
- Implement strategies to bolster individual and collective resilience.
- See what happy workplaces are doing right and adapt those techniques.

Embrace Change Management:
- Master the principles of effective change leadership.
- Use Mary’s toolkit for leading teams through organizational transitions.
- Gain insights into how to manage resistance.

Using the acronym, P.I.V.O.T. leaders reinvigorate their teams with a sense of purpose; they are prepared to inspire and influence others every day, they assess volatile situations in the right way, they see opportunities when others see only problems, and make sure their teams have the tools, techniques, training, and tactics they need to succeed.

This program is for executives, managers, and leaders across industries committed to enhancing their leadership skills and guiding their teams through the complexities of crisis, challenge, and change.

Testimonials

Mary Kelly is one of the most creative and motivating speakers I have ever worked with. Energetic, creative, witty, genuine, and extremely knowledgeable! She’s the BOMB!
– Michael Paulovich - DBA / Project Management Office
Energetic, creative, witty, genuine, and extremely knowledgeable!
– Michael Paulovich - DBA
Thank you for delivering such an informative and entertaining presentation on the mainstage at MAXX. I am glad to hear that overall, you are optimistic about the future of the economy. The insights you shared were enlightening, especially the data that was specific to the Northwest. I am certain our members left your session with some great observations that can inform their decision making in 2020. Thank you again, Mary. We appreciate all that you have done to make MAXX such a great success.
– Troy Stang - President/CEO, Northwest Credit Union Association
I cannot tell you how much I appreciated your time at our Retreat and I have had so many of the board members tell me how much they enjoyed your presentation!
– Heather Hankins
Mary was a big hit! I hope to see her again.
– David Fraser - Executive Director / WY Association Of Municipalities
You were amazing, but no surprise there! Thank you very much for significantly enhancing the overall experience for our attendees. I received countless comments about how much they enjoyed your presentation.
– Rick Mack - Executive Director / Association Of Chief Executives For Sport, ACES

Booksby Mary Kelly

5 Minutes Per Week 52 Weeks to a Better Business: With Less Stress, Happier Teams, and More Productivity

Who Comes Next? Leadership Succession Planning Made Easy

Why Leaders Fail and the 7 Prescriptions for Success

Master Your World

15 Ways to Grow Your Business in Every Economy

In Case of Emergency Break Glass!

Money Smart

Stop the Barking at Work

360° of Leadership

Checklist for Starting a Successful Business

Blog Posts

The One Life Question That Separates Victims From Victors

One powerful question changed how keynote speaker John O'Leary chose to live his life. Discover the victim-or-victor framework that works for any challenge.

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Insights from Ross Bernstein on What Champions Do When Nobody’s Watching

Learn how champions think differently and build winning habits that transform teams from talented to unstoppable with peak performance speaker Ross Bernstein.

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7 Year-End Lessons From Keynote Speaker Every Event Planner Needs Before 2026

Learn 7 powerful year-end lessons from top keynote speakers to transform your event planning strategy and personal growth in 2026.

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The Event Budget Mistake Most Planners Make

Learn with Scott Bloom why smart event planners invest in professional emcees instead of expensive keynotes to create unforgettable multi-day event experiences.

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Analog Strategies That Reduce Digital Anxiety (From a Former White House CIO)

Learn how to calm digital anxiety with proven analog strategies from former White House CIO Theresa Payton that can help you restore your human connections.

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How Elite Teams Prevent Catastrophic Failures Before They Happen (Teamwork Lessons From a Fighter Pilot)

Navy fighter pilot Jack Becker reveals how elite teams catch errors fast, protect blind spots, and perform under pressure using proven teamwork strategies.

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