Kelly was appointed the Director of the Department of Indian Work in October 2019. She brings strong leadership, on-the-ground experience, and deep relationships to her position.

Kelly started working for Interfaith Action of Greater Saint Paul as an intern for the Department of Indian Work food shelf. In April 2016, she became the Food Shelf Intake & Referral Specialist and quickly rose to assume the position of Emergency Services Coordinator in June 2016. Her work has long centered on ensuring that clients’ emergency needs are met, and that clients have connections with community resources to help them build economic mobility.

Kelly also serves as chair for Saint Paul Indians in Action, board secretary for the Montessori American Indian Childcare Center, board secretary for the Mille Lacs Band of Ojibwe Housing Board, and sits on the Tiwahe Foundation board of directors. She is a member of the American Indian Parent Advisory Council for ISD #623.

She was born in Waconia, MN, and grew up in Onamia, a small town outside of Mille Lacs Lake Indian Reservation. Kelly has her Associates of Arts Degree from Saint Paul College.

When Kelly is not working, she is busy being a mom to her two young children. She and her husband enjoy going to the movies, shopping, reading, swimming and attending pow wows.

Kelly is an enrolled member of the Mille Lacs Band of Ojibwe.