Kelly brings more than a decade of experience advancing meaningful change in child welfare and youth justice through research, evaluation, technical assistance, and deep partnership with public agencies, communities, young people, and families. Before joining Foster America, she spent over 10 years at Child Trends, where she worked alongside those closest to systems to help shape more responsive and effective solutions.
In 2026, Foster America marks a decade of building an alternative to a child welfare system rooted in crisis—and proving that families thrive when support comes early, with dignity, and led by community.
