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A commercial insurance specialist and builder of talent, Kelly champions the development of independent agents while staying close to clients. Her leadership extends into the community as treasurer of the Lake Placid Olympic Museum board, a board and loan committee member for the Adirondack Economic Development Corporation, and an active member of the Lake Placid Lions Club.

Away from work, she loves traveling and time with her family. 

We asked Kelly several rapid-fire questions about leadership, her role shaping Big I NY, and what it means to lead as a woman in our industry. Grab your notebook; you’ll want to jot this down.

Q: Where did you grow up and what part of that place still shows up in how you live your life today?

A: In the “real” upstate NY in a small town called Mooers, NY. It’s about as far Northeast as you can get on the NY/Canadian border. The best way to explain how where I grew up shows up in my life today is “Community.” Our offices are all in small towns that thrive because of the community that supports us, and we support back. It doesn’t escape me that the reason I am able to provide jobs, have a thriving business, and support my community is because of our clients that choose to do business with us. They are a very big part of who we are and why we do it well.

Q: In one sentence, why does the Big I NY community matter to you personally?

A: BIG I NY has been a community that has helped me grow both personally and professionally.  There really is no fine line there. I have an insurance community that helps me be a better agent, business owner, and boss. That personally is invaluable. I tell anyone that is looking to get involved with BIG I NY that they will gain more than they give.

Q: What early misconception about insurance do you wish you could correct for young people considering this career? 

A: I want young professionals to know this field is anything but boring. It will challenge you, motivate you, and reward you! There is no better industry, and it isn’t just insurance. We have space for legal, marketing, accounting, and beyond.

Q: What’s something you love doing outside of work that brings you joy – something you would gladly defend if someone called it silly?

A: Traveling for concerts. I will hop on a plane, train, or car to travel to see some music.  Enjoy life, take the trip, see the band, and experience everything life has to offer for experiences! I can’t tell you how many concerts I have been to, but Dead and Company is the most with 21 shows, traveling all over the country to see them.

Q: What’s one small hope you have for women in the industry in the next 5 years?

A: I can’t make this small enough to respond. Lol.

Q: When things just aren’t working, what’s your go-to resolution to get yourself back in the ring?

A: Stop. Drop. And Roll. :) Just kidding. Seriously though, I do stop and evaluate what the process is, what is working and not working, and come up with a plan to execute. Like all things in life, a wrong turn teaches us, and you just have to learn and move on. On a personal level, when I am feeling disengaged, I know enough to recognize, and feel this is when I come up with my best new plans to get excited and inspired about something. Sometimes it’s shifting how my entire agency operates, looking to acquire a new agency, overhauling an entire golf outing, I get inspired and feel back “in it” again. I always have to be conscience of this.

Q: What books, podcasts, or people have most influenced your approach to work/life?

A: I love real life stories of grit and survival. I remember before I opened my agency, I read a book called “Unbroken” which was the story of Louis Zamperini, who was a WWII hero, Olympian, speaker and author. His life story was amazing, and I thought “If he can survive all of that, I can open an insurance agency.”  I also went down a rabbit hole on the 1996 Expedition to Mount Everest. I have read all of the books from that expedition, and for years, we had “Everest Season” at my house as I followed all of the climbers. I never want to do that, I am just inspired by it. As for Podcast, I go in and out of listening to them, but not really a particular one I follow.

Q: What’s the worst piece of career advice you’ve ever received?

A: I can’t say I have ever really received something I didn’t find valuable, good or bad. I find I take in whatever advice I am given, weigh it out, and make a calculated decision. I can say this in full confidence, that anyone who has ever doubted me or told me I couldn’t or shouldn’t do something only became my biggest motivator.

Q:​ Finish this sentence: “If I could tell my younger self one thing, it would be ….”

A: TRUST yourself and never worry about what others think. Life owes you nothing and the only person responsible for your life is YOU! Never be afraid to do the unpopular, take a chance on something bold, and take what you know you can gain or deserve!