Prolific Fundraiser & Volunteer - Sea Scouts, Climate Ride, Back on My Feet, Thresholds, Girls on the Run, Political Campaigns
Kelly O'Brien
Miami,FL
Summary
Imaginative, high performing executive leader with 25+ years' experience launching and growing social impact organizations and initiatives with measurable impact. Full strategic planning and P&L management responsibility for multiple businesses and projects. Demonstrated marketing savvy and operational management acumen. Exceptional communicator with a track record of catalyzing strategic collaboration, turning ideas into action and fueling momentum and inspiration to drive change. Spiritual seeker, adventure junkie, outdoor enthusiast, wellness evangelist.
Overview
29
29
years of professional experience
6
6
years of post-secondary education
4
4
Certifications
Work History
Executive Director, Brain Health Partnership
USAgainstAlzheimer’s
07.2018 - Current
- The Biden Administration established a historic, new national goal to promote healthy aging and reduce the risk of dementia. This is a direct result of my ideation and work.
- Aligned programmatic vision, goals and objectives with organizational strategy to build a new vertical.
- Catalyzed a new effort to triple CDC’s Healthy Aging budget, secured support from dozens of diverse groups.
- Built and cultivated a broad coalition of more than 200 unique and diverse partners and experts.
- Catalyzed a new effort to triple CDC’s Healthy Aging budget.
- Raised awareness and interest among key policymakers for dementia prevention and risk reduction and solidified organizational positioning as the go-to on these issues.
Founder & CEO
Ideaction Corps
01.2022 - Current
- Spearheaded UsAgainstAlzheimer's national Brain Health Partnership
- Strategic Advisor for the Brain Health Initiative, a living laboratory for brain health in Florida's Suncoast.
- Strategic Advisor for BrainFutures, an organization working to accelerate access to practical applications of brain science that maximize human potential.
- Ideaction Corps is a collaborative of firms, agencies, and freelancers with a diverse array of services and talents that come together to work on projects that have a social impact. Clients are for-purpose organizations. Ideaction is a B-Corp.
- Clients have included The First Five Years Fund/Ounce of Prevention, Forefront, The Chicago Community Trust, Presence Health, and Chicago Commons.
- Developed key operational initiatives to drive and maintain substantial business growth.
Executive Director, Illinois
The Kennedy Forum
04.2014 - 07.2018
- Established and grew this new organization in Illinois. Founded nationally by former Congressman Patrick Kennedy, The Kennedy Forum is advancing mental health and addiction equity.
- Developed and executed experiential influencer engagement strategy that generated $800K+ revenue in six months.
- Built board and leadership council of 85 C-Suite leaders in business, health and policy.
- Convened, educated and mobilized thousands through annual meetings, community discussions, Mental Health First Aid trainings, and a monthly speaker series.
- Hosted hundreds of experts and celebrities at Annual Meetings including Michael Phelps, Common, Tom Arnold, Mariel Hemingway, Cardinal Cupich, Secretary Duncan, David Axelrod and Elizabeth Vargas. The 2018 meeting generated 1.7 billion media global impressions from 315+ stories.
- Lead significant policy advocacy in the state, working with public officials and stakeholder groups to improve access to mental health and addiction services by advancing parity, ending discrimination and removing barriers to treatment. Succeeded in passing landmark mental health parity legislation that serves as model for the nation.
Chief Marketing Officer and VP Corporate Partnerships
United Way of Metropolitan Chicago
06.2009 - 09.2011
- Launched and led new business team, developing strategy and approach for securing new corporate partnerships.
- Led strategic integrated marketing to reposition UWMC in the community, mobilize and drive results.
- Oversaw all marketing, media, and volunteer engagement for UWMC, including in-house creative agency and PR team. Oversaw production of award-winning video completed on time and under budget.
- Expanded awareness/visibility of LIVE UNITED 2020 through creative external partnerships reaching new audiences. E.g., "Go Do Good" campaign w/ artist Kay Rosen and Chicago Loop Alliance, a partnership with Microsoft to premiere the documentary "Waiting for Superman," and an alliance with Northern Trust to launch an education initiative.
Executive Director
Girls on the Run Chicago
02.2006 - 05.2009
- Tripled revenue in less than two years. Restructured event sponsorships and grew affiliations into net-positive revenue.
- Initiated and implemented strategic, measurable program growth plan. Doubled number of program sites/girls served.
- Crafted and executed substantial, integrated partnerships with large corporations including Kellogg and Takeda.
- Conceptualized and executed a major new community event, The Chicago Fire Fall WonderGirl 5K race, 1200+ participated in inaugural year, grew quickly to more than 10,000 participants.
Vice President
Wilhelm & Conlon Public Strategies
11.2004 - 02.2006
- Developed strategic plans, constructed coalitions, conducted media outreach, built relationships with public officials, community leaders and corporate executives; lobbied decision makers; identified and organized third-party supporters.
- Passed an adoption bill in one session of the state legislature.
Associate Executive Director
American Public Health Association
06.2002 - 11.2004
- Led government relations, communications and affiliate affairs (52 state affiliates) overseeing a $1.4 million budget and 12 staff.
- Revamped grassroots advocacy at APHA with clear goals, strategies and measurable tactics. Managed multiple policy advocacy coalitions.
- Grew National Public Health Week from 12 states to 50 statesengaging 300+ partner organizations and media 100+ markets.
Program Analyst, Office of the Director
U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
04.1998 - 06.2002
- Liaison to Congress, DHHS and other federal agencies.
Public Health Policy Advisor
U.S. Senator Richard Durbin (D-IL); Detailed from CDC
01.2000 - 02.2002
- Secured $105 million for immunization grants; $12 million for global polio; and $35 million for global AIDS programs.
- Helped lead legislative efforts to create the President's Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR) and the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, TB, & Malaria.
- In 2001, Sen. Durbin was awarded the Hero in Transplantation Award by the Transplant Recipients International Organization; the Excellence in Immunization Award by the National Partnership for Immunization; and the AMA Nathan Davis Award for outstanding legislator of the year.
Director of Government Affairs
Partnership for Prevention
07.1996 - 04.1998
- Launched Government Relations office; catalyzed Congressional Prevention Caucus on Capitol Hill
Senior Legislative Assistant
U.S. Congressman Gerald Kleczka (D-WI)
08.1992 - 06.1996
- Managed Ways and Means Health Subcommittee work during health reform efforts of Clinton Administration
Education
Bachelor of Arts - Government, History, Philosophy
St. Mary's College, Notre Dame
01.1985 - 01.1989
American University
01.1987 - 01.1987
Master of Public Administration - Public Policy Analysis
George Washington University, School of Business
01.1989 - 01.1991
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Johns Hopkin's University, School of Public Health
01.2002 -
Skills
Leadership & Strategy - Inspiring and developing an ecosystem that exceeds organizational goals Generating new and innovative approaches to problems
Operational Excellence - Turning strategic plans into measurable impact by forging internal integrity that aligns budgets and work to stated goals
Partnership Development & Community Engagement- Strategically and authentically cultivating grassroots and grasstops communities, coalitions, and campaigns in service of good programs, policy and people
Marketing ROI & Brand Performance- Development and implementation of strategies with positive impact on mission advancement and sales/investment Master at integrated experiential programs and events resulting in sustained stakeholder engagement
Policy & Political Navigation - Experience navigating legislative and executive branch; federal, state and local advocacy
Quick Start & Innovation - Ability to quickly understand new information; identify important details and connections, see the vision and make thoughtful decisions to get there
Financial Management- Budget development, expense management, revenue development, P&L responsibility
Interests
Public Speaker - local to global events, from the City Club of Chicago to the World Bank Group
Global Polio Eradication Initiative, India
Volunteer Board Service (former) - Chicago Cares, Global Aids Alliance
Ironman Finisher, Everest Marathon more than 100 running/triathlon/cycling/adventure endurance events
Cycled hundreds of miles and raised more than 10K to support organizations working to combat the climate crisis, protect our environment and support sustainable transportation
American Enterprise Institute (AEI) Leadership Network
Illinois B-Corps Leadership
Former Instructor, Workforce Institute of the City Colleges of Chicago
Sailing, Scuba, Hiking, Travel, Books, Cycling, Camping, Endurance Sports
I Vote
Publications
Certification
Certified Personal Trainer, NASM
Timeline
Founder & CEO
Ideaction Corps
01.2022 - Current
Executive Director, Brain Health Partnership
USAgainstAlzheimer’s
07.2018 - Current
Executive Director, Illinois
The Kennedy Forum
04.2014 - 07.2018
Chief Marketing Officer and VP Corporate Partnerships
United Way of Metropolitan Chicago
06.2009 - 09.2011
Executive Director
Girls on the Run Chicago
02.2006 - 05.2009
Vice President
Wilhelm & Conlon Public Strategies
11.2004 - 02.2006
Associate Executive Director
American Public Health Association
06.2002 - 11.2004
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Johns Hopkin's University, School of Public Health
01.2002 -
Public Health Policy Advisor
U.S. Senator Richard Durbin (D-IL); Detailed from CDC
01.2000 - 02.2002
Program Analyst, Office of the Director
U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
04.1998 - 06.2002
Director of Government Affairs
Partnership for Prevention
07.1996 - 04.1998
Senior Legislative Assistant
U.S. Congressman Gerald Kleczka (D-WI)
08.1992 - 06.1996
Master of Public Administration - Public Policy Analysis
George Washington University, School of Business
01.1989 - 01.1991
American University
01.1987 - 01.1987
Bachelor of Arts - Government, History, Philosophy
St. Mary's College, Notre Dame
01.1985 - 01.1989