Biography

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 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.

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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

Finding Your Purpose with Small Acts of Kindness

Discover how small acts of kindness can help you find purpose and create a lasting impact in your life and others.

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Take Ownership and Transform Your Life Today

Take ownership of your life with Merril Hoge's inspiring insights on resilience, mindfulness, and breaking unhealthy cycles.

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Reflecting on 2024: Key Insights and Trends for Event Professionals

What were the biggest takeaways from events in 2024, and how can they shape the way you plan conferences in 2025? 📝

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Innovative Insights to Keep Your Event Attendees Engaged

Discover innovative insights and strategies to enhance attendee experience and engagement at your next event.

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Powerful Ways to Unleash Your Creativity with Kyle Scheele

Unleash your creativity with keynote speaker Kyle Scheele expert insights on innovation, leadership, and turning limitations into inspiration.

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Your Event, Their Mission: Elevate Human Rights to Center Stage

Human rights are not just ideals—they're the foundation for building inclusive, empowered, and sustainable communities.

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Blog Posts

 

Finding Your Purpose with Small Acts of Kindness

What does it truly mean to find your purpose? Many people believe purpose is tied...

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Take Ownership and Transform Your Life Today

What’s holding you back from living the life you’ve always wanted? If you’ve ever felt...

Read More

Reflecting on 2024: Key Insights and Trends for Event Professionals

As we stand on the threshold of a new year, it's the perfect time to...

Read More

Innovative Insights to Keep Your Event Attendees Engaged

Engaging attendees at an event is no easy feat, especially in today’s fast-paced world where...

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Powerful Ways to Unleash Your Creativity with Kyle Scheele

Creativity is often misunderstood. Some see it as a gift reserved for artists or visionaries,...

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Your Event, Their Mission: Elevate Human Rights to Center Stage

"Human rights are not a privilege conferred by government. They are every human being's entitlement...

Read More