With more than 35 years of experience across public and private sectors, Kelli most recently served as Chief of the Office of Special Projects at the National Security Agency (NSA), leading initiatives focused on emerging technologies.
Kelli began her career as a broadcast journalist, earning acclaim for her award-winning national security reporting. She later dedicated herself to mentoring future journalists, serving as the inaugural Dan Rather Endowed Chair at Sam Houston State University and as the founding executive director of the Global Center for Journalism and Democracy.
During this time, she also worked globally as a senior leadership and communications trainer for women, youth, and law enforcement while advising a range of corporate and nonprofit clients. Her work eventually brought her back to the Washington, D.C., area, where she initially joined the NSA as Chief of Strategic Communications and Senior Advisor. She then served as the senior intelligence representative to the State Department.
Kelli has been honored with both the Distinguished Civilian Service Medal and the Superior Civilian Service Medal and is widely recognized as a bold, creative, and trusted leader.
Kelli is married and the proud mother of three children.