About Our Dedicated Leader . . .
Executive Director, Chris Kelly
As a Kansas City native, and in addition to her Executive Director duties, Chris is a licensed minister with an MA in Theological Studies from Central Baptist Theological Seminary while holding a BS in Management Accounting from Park University and a BS in Human Resources.
Chris has been a leader in supplier diversity for over 25 years, recently retiring in December 2024 from the Metropolitan Community College (MCC). Serving as the Program Coordinator of Supplier Diversity for the past 16 years, she was responsible for implementing a formal provider diversity program for the institution. As a major part of her responsibilities, she led MCC district-wide campuses (Penn Valley, Longview, Blue River, Maple Woods, and On-Line) to ensure minority and women-owned business (MWBE) requirements were clearly defined and monitored. In addition, she coordinated interaction with diverse suppliers to increase procurement opportunities for community-wide impact.
Through her efforts, MCC received the Minority Enterprise Development Week Award for Corporation of the Year, the Public Sector Champion Award from the Kansas City Women's Business Development Center, and the Insight Into Diversity Jesse L. Moore 2021 Supplier Diversity Award.
During her tenure at MCC accomplished the following (partial list):
- Served as co-chair for the Higher Learning Commission 2016 Criterion 2 on Diversity for re-accreditation
- Served as co-chair for the National Association Education of Procurement Supplier Diversity Institute (NAEP) national conference 2019 held in Kansas City, MO
- Served on the NAEP 2020 planning committee for their annual meeting in Nashville, TN
- Served on several committees, i.e., Unified Government of Wyandotte County Contract Fairness Board, KCSourcLink, Multicultural Business Coalition, the Certification Committee and Advisory Board for the Kansas City Women's Business Development Center, Kansas City Procurement Roundtable (KCPRT), the ESHIP Mentorship Program Planning committee for Forward Cities, and KC Risings Ideas Driving Committee task force. She also served on the Kansas City Fairness in Contracts Board, the Jackson County Sports Authority Fairness Board, and the Mountain Plains Minority Supplier Development Council certification committee.
Before joining MCC, Chris was Vice President of Program and Planning for the MidAmerica Minority Business Development Council (MAMBDC), making it one of the best proactive organizations providing business opportunities for minorities and women nationwide. As a result of her efforts, the council's programs and events were known as some of the most innovative programs in Kansas City.
Before accepting her assignment at the MAMBDC (formerly Minority Supplier Council), Kelly worked for Aventis Pharmaceuticals (formerly Hoechst Marion Roussel, Marion Merrell Dow Pharmaceutical, Marion Laboratories), a for-profit company founded by Ewing Marion Kauffman. During her tenure at Aventis Pharmaceuticals, She was the Financial Analyst for Intercompany Accounting and Small, Minority, and Women-Owned Regional Business Liaison for its North American headquarters supplier diversity program (New Jersey, Ohio, and Missouri). Through her efforts, Aventis Pharmaceuticals received the Minority Supplier Council's Corporation of the Year Award.
Because of her vast experience and accomplishments, Chris has been featured in two videos discussing supplier diversity initiatives. She has been instrumental in a small local business owner's success and shares her experiences as a supplier diversity advocate. The links are provided below for review.
Other Awards and Accomplishments:
- She is an Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority member
- Inductee of the Black Achievers Society of Kansas City. (2005)
- She is a published author of Never Too Old to Dance, released in October 2016. She is writing her second book, WOW: Weapons Of Worship.
- She has received several awards for her work in supplier diversity:
- Recipient of the Charles D. McDonald, Jr. Supplier Diversity Advocate Award from the Institute for Supply Management (ISM)
- Advocate of the Year Award for Minority Enterprise Development Week City of Kansas City, MO, Supplier Diversity Coordinator of the Year Award
- Advocate of the Year award
- Newcomer of the Year from the MidAmerica Minority Business Development Council
- Greater Kansas City Chamber of Commerce Supplier Diversity ACE Award
- COMTO's (Conference of Minority Transportation Officials) Small Business Advocate Award.
- National Association Education Procurement (NAEP) – Served on two-panel discussions at the national level for the 2022 annual meeting to discuss supplier diversity programs.
- Published an article in the NAEP magazine titled "If I Can Help Somebody."
Her community awards include:
- Midwest CEO Magazine's 50 Most Influential Women
- Kansas City Globe's Society of Influentials
- Western Baptist Bible College Women's Contributions to Black History Award
- Lucile V. Jackson/Charlestine Scroggins Distinguished Service Award to help stop domestic violence (three-time awardee).
