Kelly is dedicated to igniting the flames of adult learning, nurturing the seeds of potential within individuals, and empowering adult learners to transcend their limitations, thereby unleashing their true capabilities in the most authentic manner possible. With over 20 years in pivotal training and development roles, Kelly has wielded her expertise to orchestrate transformative changes that resonate across industries. She is the powerhouse behind Kelly K Consulting, where she captivates audiences through keynote speeches, immersive professional development workshops, and personalized coaching sessions for individuals and teams. Her unwavering mission? To embolden leaders at every level to unearth, nurture, and fully embody their innate leadership and know they are on this planet on purpose for a purpose.

Kelly is an exemplary workshop leader, public speaker, author and coach who has worked with individuals and groups nationwide. She is dynamic in person and has the unique skill set to engage participants in a virtual setting! Kelly incorporates the insights she learned while earning her Six Sigma Greenbelt, MBA degree, ATD Adult Learning certification and Color Code Personality Science certification in her interactions. She combines her academic knowledge and training with her 20-plus years of real-world sales, teaching, and training experience to provide professional and personal insights. Kelly’s style offers warmth to connect with the audience while commanding attention and interest in the presented message. In both group and individual coaching sessions, Kelly builds an environment of openness and safety, leading to successful personal transformation for her clients that carries on beyond the coaching

On a personal level, Kelly was born in the Midwest and grew up in East Tennessee. She was an opinionated, verbose child who wanted to learn, figure it out for herself, and be successful. She accepted Jesus into her life at twelve and will immediately tell you that wasn’t the end! It was just the beginning! If you had asked her at ten years old what she wanted to be, she would have said, “A corporate lawyer and the first woman president.” While not a lawyer, she did work in large law firms for many years. She has abandoned any interest in being president.

She has been married for over two decades to her husband (Kevin Bess). They are united by their commitment to follow Jesus and grow in their faith. For more than 10 years, they have been active participants in the life of Christ Life Community Church, where Kevin is a newly established deacon. They met at another church years ago after Kevin built Kelly an entertainment center for an old-school television.

Kelly embraces her role as a “not-so-evil” stepmother and Nana to four grandchildren. She leads a Saturday morning women’s Bible study, where she occasionally sneaks in jokes about her Vols-obsessed husband but primarily uses him as an example of a better half. She also actively mentors youth and young adults.

Their shared dedication to faith keeps their relationship intact, even if they can’t quite see eye-to-eye on the importance of football! Kelly and Kevin hope they can be a practical resource to living life on earth but following Jesus. Kevin is Kelly’s biggest supporter in her speaking.