About Mary

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Mary Kelly, PhD is a nationally recognized and renowned economist and leadership expert specializing in improving business efficiency and maximizing available resources.

A graduate of the U.S. Naval Academy, Mary has trained over 20,000 military and civilian personnel in multi-cultural environments around the world. She served 21 years as a commissioned officer in the Navy, and retired as a commander.  Her specialties were in human resources, logistics, intelligence, and security.

A university business and economics professor, Mary combines theory and practicality. Mary taught at the U.S. Naval Academy, the U.S. Air Force Academy, and Hawaii Pacific University. With extensive experience in human resources, finance, insurance, organizational leadership, strategic planning, and project development, she focuses on building successful strategies for business leaders at all levels of an organization.

Mary’s passion is helping corporations, government agencies, associations and non-profits develop leadership and productivity skills through engaging and informative keynote speeches, break-out sessions, and focused training. An energetic, engaging and perceptive leadership coach and speaker, Mary delivers humorous, inspiring, and insightful keynote speeches, offering tools and insights that increase productivity, morale, and profits.

As a consultant, creative and insightful problem-solving abilities enable her to transform corporate cultures and structures.

Quoted in numerous periodicals, Mary is the author of several books, including 360 Degrees of Leadership: Steering Around the Icebergs; Master Your World: 10 Dog-Inspired Lessons to Increase Productivity, Profits and Communication, 15 Ways to Grow your Business in Every Economy; and In Case of Emergency, Break Glass! Mary is also a columnist for the Colorado Springs Business Journal.

Mary started writing orders at trade shows with her family’s sales business at age ten, and she has been employed (and paying taxes) since she was twelve. A frustrated comedian, Mary would like to be as funny as her friends claim she is.

Mary coaches the U.S. Air Force Academy’s Equestrian Team, and she and her therapy dogs make routine visits to local hospitals and retirement homes.  

Areas of Expertise

• Leadership
• Management Skills
• Business Coaching
• Time Management/Organization
• Financial Issues
• Communication Skills
• Customer Service
• Interpersonal Skills
• Strategic Planning

Industry Experience

• Transportation
• Insurance
• Business Services
• Public Administration
• Government / Military
• Education

Awards/ Certifications/ Honors

• B.S. in History from United States Naval Academy
• M.A. in Economics from the University of Oklahoma
• M.A. in History from the University of Hawaii
• Ph.D. in Economics from Greenwich University
• ABD in Political Science from The University of Hawaii

Professional Associations

• MENSA
• American Economics Association
• National Speakers Association
• Global Speakers Association
• Colorado Speakers Association

Mary Kelly is a graduate of the United States Naval Academy and spent over 20 years on active duty in intelligence and logistics. She retired from the Navy as a commander. She has masters degrees in history and economics, and a PhD in economics. With over 20 years combined teaching experience at both the Naval Academy and at Hawaii Pacific University, she taught economics, finance, history and management. She has extensive experience in the economy, academic development, human resources, finance, organizational management and project development. Mary has a track record for success as an organizational change agent.In her role as a human resources director, Dr. Kelly developed a business model for the computer and telecommunications organization for personnel hiring, training and retention that was adopted globally by the U. S. Navy. Managing culturally diverse teams, she orchestrated organizational changes for over 3,000 personnel for 2 military base closures. Her ability to problem solve and provide innovative solutions enabled her to transform the Navy’s largest pay and personnel organization from the lowest in customer satisfaction to the highest in the nation in 18 months, with 23% fewer employees and a 19% budget decrease.As an educator, Dr. Kelly created a mandatory curriculum for a college student body of 4,500 students. During her teaching career, she developed 31 university courses in the areas of business management, economics, history, management, geography, political science, human resources and international relations. Mary taught remote course work for multiple colleges over the last 15 years, while creating 4 distance learning courses using online lectures, webinars, interactive exercises and podcasting. In addition to standard curriculums, Dr. Kelly coached 450 students on life skills and time-management. She conceived and taught wealth building and personal finance to students at the United States Naval Academy, resulting in a student body educated on budgeting and retirement planning before graduation.

As a speaker and presenter, Mary Kelly pulls from her diverse experience to provide keynote presentations that are engaging and compelling, leaving the audience wanting more. With a warm and sincere style, Mary takes her vast knowledge and provides an educational presentation that holds the interest of her audience. She has been a popular speaker for both the US Naval Academy and Hawaii Pacific University on topics of finance, leadership, communication, and management. As a communicator, she has chaired academic and military panels for economics, political science and historical conferences, and she has conducted over 1,400 seminars on financial, business, human resources, management and leadership topics to all levels of civilian corporations.

Productive Leaders maintains sites in Dallas, TX, Denver, CO and Washington DC.

Mary enjoys skiing, kayaking, time outside with her dogs, and wine.

Economist/Leadership Expert
Productive Leaders
Events Services Industry; Privately Held; 1-10 employees
January 2010 – Present 

Helping corporations, government agencies, associations and non-profits develop leadership and productivity skills through engaging and informative keynote speeches, break-out sessions, and focused training. A Business Efficiency and Effectiveness Review (BEER) can be the push forward your business needs. Productive Leaders offers Specialized Business Development Consulting and Coaching sessions. 

Mary is a member of the National Speakers Association, the Global Speakers Association, the North Texas Speakers Association, and the Colorado Speakers Association.

Professor of Economics
US Air Force Academy
Military Industry; Educational Institution; 5001-10,000 employees
January 2010 – Present 

Engage Cadets in a classroom setting in the world of economics. Explain the importance of economic decision-making on macroeconomic levels while conveying leadership principles associated with being a military officer.

Leadership Expert
Productive Leaders
Events Services Industry; Privately Held; 1-10 employees
January 2008 – Present

Productive Leaders provides lively, entertaining and informative speeches on leadership, management, and communications to all levels within organizations. Most popular is the “Leadership Lessons from the Dog” and “Navigating the World” series. 

Each speech is specifically tailored to the organization. Specialty is conference kickoffs, conclusions, or off-sites. Personal business coaching also available.

CEO
Productive Leaders
Events Services Industry; Privately Held; 1-10 employees
August 2008 – Present 

• Author, Speaker, Trainer, Consultant
• Professional Speaker on Leadership, Management, Finance and Economics, Author, Consultant

Instructor
Hawaii Pacific University
Higher Education Industry; Educational Institution; 501-1000 employees
1993 – Present

Instructor of Economics, Finance and Management in the Business Administration Department at Hawaii Pacific University, Honolulu HI. While continuously striving for academic excellence, displays academic versatility by expanding from the Business Department, teaching Political Science and History. Served as Vice-President of Business Faculty.

Classes taught include:

• Microeconomics
• Online Microeconomic
• Macroeconomics
• Online Macroeconomics
• Career Communications
• Business in Contemporary Society
• Backgrounds in Business
• Business and Economic Research Methods
• Economic Issues of Asia
• Economies of the Pacific
• International Trade and Finance
• Business Ethics
• Business Investments
• Personal Finance
• World Civilizations I 
• World Civilizations II
• Money, Credit and Banking
• Introduction to American Political Systems
• Human Geography
• Strategic Management
• Labor Economics
• History of Economic Thought
• The World Economy

Commander, USN
US Naval Academy
Military Industry; Government Agency; 10,001+ employees
February 2004 – July 2008

Developed personal finance curriculum for 4,000. Academic faculty position responsible for seven classes per year of Western Civilizations I and II, World Civilizations I and II, one section of the History capstone course, the History of Southeast Asia in addition to the Art of Communications, and orchestrating two history summer seminars.

Faculty representative for:

• Phi Alpha Theta
• History Honors Society
• Equestrian Club
• Mountaineering Club
• Men’s Glee Club
• Women’s Glee Club
• Catholic Choir and Music Department

Served on Committees:

• African History Hiring Committee
• Chaired Yard-Wide Prizes and Awards Committee
• Department’s Social Committee Chair & Member
• Wilson Heflin Prize for Leadership Committee

Human Resources Specialist
U.S. Navy
Military Industry; Government Agency; 10,001+ employees
1999 – 2008 (9 years)

Navy designation as Human Resources Manager. Taught SHRM classes. Officer in Charge of the Personnel Support Detachment, Pearl Harbor, the Navy’s largest Pay and Personnel office (outside of HQ).

Security Officer (Chief of Police)
Barbers Point, Hawaii
Military Industry; Government Agency; 10,001+ employees
1997-1999

Coordinated efforts of civilian and military police forces. Coordinated the effort to combine all security departments from five military bases on the island of Oahu to reduce costs and increase efficiencies.

• Increase Profit
• Improve Productivity
• Foster Employee Engagement
• Systemize Processes
• Develop Teams

Master Your World: 10 Dog-Inspired Lessons to Improve Productivity, Profits, and Communication

Get the behavior and results you want from the people you rely on the most. Everyone benefits when these lessons are applied at work, at home, and of course, with the dog. Funny, engaging, and eminently practical for all levels of an organization. A must read for new managers.  (Published in MENSA Magazine December 2012!)   Read more…

Master Your World Workbook  - Leadership Lessons to Improve Productivity, Profits and Communication

A Perfect guide for the “Master Your World” Workbook.

15 Ways to Grow Your Business in Every Economy

As an economist and a business owner, Mary covers 15 ways to assist you in more effective marketing, enhanced productivity, and achieving greater profits ALL THE TIME.

Filled with helpful exercises and examples, this book is designed to give you specific ideas and plans to improve your business to thrive in any economy.  Read more…

360 Degrees of Leadership: Steering Around the Icebergs

Quick leadership reminders for the busy manager! Filled with leadership thoughts accompanied by amazing photographs, this beautiful book serves as daily leadership inspiration.  Read more…
In Case of Emergency, Break Glass! Organize Your Life

Can you grab all of your important papers in 60 seconds? If something happened, would your family know what to do? Do you have your will updated? Do you need a trust? Where are all of your insurance papers? Give your family the gift of time and peace of mind with this easy to follow program that simplifies difficult topics. Mary makes it fun! This program can also be used as a fundraiser.
Go to my Organize-You website for more information.

Office phone is 719-357-7360
Cell phone is 443-995-8663

Email:    Mary@ProductiveLeaders.com
OR Mika@ProductiveLeaders.com (my amazing assistant) in case I can’t respond within an hour.

Mailing Addresses:

• Productive Leaders – 4823 Ridgeside Drive, Dallas, TX 75244
• Mary Kelly – P.O. Box 461350, Denver, CO  80246

Websites:

• ProductiveLeaders.com   -   Free Leadership and Business Development Articles
• Organize-You.com    -    In Case of Emergency, Break Glass!   (My alternate program when someone wants something COMPLETELY different.)
• Mary’s Business Blog
• You Tube: www.youtube.com/ProductiveLeaders
• Twitter: www.twitter.com/marykellyspeaks
• Facebook: www.facebook.com/DrMaryKelly
• Linkedin: www.linkedin.com/in/marykellytalks

Interests:

Writing the next leadership book, speaking, and teaching.  White water rafting, agility work with the dogs, skiing, traveling, yoga……..and wine.