KURT KELLY

CEO & PRESIDENT, FLORIDA COALITION FOR CHILDREN, TALLAHASSEE

The Florida Coalition for Children serves 80-plus organizations and businesses that provide services in Florida’s foster care system. Kelly has been at FCC for more than 12 years advocating for Florida’s abused, abandoned, neglected and at-risk children.

EDUCATION: Florida State University (BS); University of South Florida (M.Ed.)

FIRST JOB: Upon graduating from FSU, I took a position at the Florida House of Representatives as a legislative aide to a representative in Palm Beach.

DREAM ALTERNATE CAREER: I think I’d pursue work in the vocal entertainment world as a performer or become an international diplomat.

SOMETHING SURPRISING: That I am a songwriter and like to write poetry.

PASSION PROJECT: I passionately enjoy working for peace and understanding in our communities with people of varying viewpoints and political ideologies.

NONPROFIT PASSION: I love working with international ministries like Reaching Romania and other ministries around the world.

INDUSTRY TREND: Opening up greater conversations with parents with lived experience. This allows us to look for opportunities to address harmful and negative behaviors long before they happen, thus keeping families together. Additionally, partnering parents and professionals together to assure faster healing and greater understanding for all. Finally, bringing greater awareness to the entire community so we can all be a part of healing solutions.