Bio
KARA J KELLEY
Kara J. Kelley is Vice-Chairman of the Colorado River Commission of Nevada and Founder of her consulting firm, The Kelley Company.
She has proven expertise in organizational leadership, business and political strategy, and marketing. She has achieved results through a collaborative approach and is a passionate advocate for business and free enterprise. As president of The Kelley Company, she advises companies and individuals on branding, business strategy and organizational development. TKC also offers consulting and training in the following areas: leadership; culture change; non-profit management and governing boards; executive coaching; government & community relations; and retreat facilitation.
Ms. Kelley served executive director for the Nevada Sesquicentennial Commission, overseeing the State of Nevada’s 150th anniversary of statehood, raising more than $1.5 million in non-tax contributions. Nevadans enjoyed more than 500 events, contributed to dozens of legacy projects and established an official world record for “most people singing their state song at once.”
Ms. Kelley is a former, and the first female, CEO of the Las Vegas Chamber of Commerce (LVCC). Under her leadership LVCC became the third largest metropolitan chamber in the nation with a membership of more than 7,000. LVCC grew to become Nevada’s most influential business association and a recognized industry leader. She achieved revenue growth of more than 40% and her successful marketing and sales effort, led to member growth of more than 30%. Her initiatives earned the Chamber acclaim including “Best Places to Work in Nevada” (In Business), “Most Respected CEO” (Nevada Business Journal), and top industry honors for website and other programming.
Ms. Kelley is a noted public speaker and has authored numerous opinion columns, hosted a business radio show and conducted hundreds of media interviews internationally, nationally and locally, including interviews for The Wall Street Journal, the Los Angeles Times, and the Travel Channel.
She holds various community leadership positions including serving as a gubernatorial appointee on the Colorado River Commission, a director for the IWF Nevada Forum board and previously served on the boards for Three Square food bank, The National Museum of Law Enforcement and Organized Crime and was the founding member of the University of Nevada, Las Vegas’ College of Liberal Arts Advisory Committee.
Ms. Kelley received her Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in political science from the UNLV.
Included in her awards and recognitions: “Top 100 Most Influential Women in Las Vegas History” (Las Vegas Centennial Committee), “Most Influential Businesswoman of the Year” (In Business), “Executive of the Year” (Western Association of Chamber Executives), and “UNLV Alumnus of the Year” (College of Liberal Arts).
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