Mary Kelly
PhD, CSP, CPAE, CDR, US Navy
TN, USCommander/Doctor/Professor. Funny leadership economist who improves strategy & tactics for profit growth. 25 years in the Navy. Best-selling author of more than 20 books. Mary brings the wow factor.
Mary Kelly, PhD is a leadership economist, keynote speaker, and former U.S. Navy commander who helps business leaders make smart decisions in uncertain economic times. She translates complex economic trends, workforce data, and market uncertainty into clear, practical leadership actions leaders can use immediately.
Mary speaks to CEOs, executives, boards, and association leaders on the intersection of economics, leadership, productivity, workforce strategy, succession planning, and organizational performance. Her presentations blend real-world economics, leadership research, and decades of experience leading people through high-stakes environments.
She is frequently selected as an opening keynote speaker because she sets the strategic tone for conferences—helping audiences understand what is happening in the economy, why it matters to their organization, and what leaders must do next to stay competitive. Her programs are insightful, engaging, and grounded in reality, making complex issues accessible without oversimplifying them.
A Hall of Fame professional speaker, best-selling author of more than 20 books, and a recognized authority on leadership and economic trends, Mary is known for delivering high-content, high-energy keynotes that challenge leaders to think differently, plan strategically, and lead with confidence in times of change.
Mary Kelly, PhD is a leadership economist, keynote speaker, and former U.S. Navy commander who helps business leaders make smart decisions in uncertain economic times. She translates complex economic trends, workforce data, and market uncertainty into clear, practical leadership actions leaders can use immediately.
Mary speaks to CEOs, executives, boards, and association leaders on the intersection of economics, leadership, productivity, workforce strategy, succession planning, and organizational performance. Her presentations blend real-world economics, leadership research, and decades of experience leading people through high-stakes environments.
She is frequently selected as an opening keynote speaker because she sets the strategic tone for conferences—helping audiences understand what is happening in the economy, why it matters to their organization, and what leaders must do next to stay competitive. Her programs are insightful, engaging, and grounded in reality, making complex issues accessible without oversimplifying them.
A Hall of Fame professional speaker, best-selling author of more than 20 books, and a recognized authority on leadership and economic trends, Mary is known for delivering high-content, high-energy keynotes that challenge leaders to think differently, plan strategically, and lead with confidence in times of change.
Why Leaders Fail and the 7 Prescriptions for Success
Focused on senior leaders and decision-makers, this popular keynote audience will dive directly into the everyday mistakes that cost supervisors, managers, and CEOs time, money and even their reputations.
These are the seven positive steps to success that are crucial for every leader to embrace.
- Understand why your top talent is not performing to their potential
- Learn specific actions that lead to short and long-term success
- Control how you...
Who Comes Next? Leadership Succession Planning Made Easy
Join economist and leadership expert, Dr. Mary Kelly, as she explains how the right succession plan will attract top talent, develop leadership skills and guarantee success for the next decade and beyond. Get out of panic mode and into a culture of continuous...
Futurenomics: The Economic Snapshot You Need to See Today
Changes in free trade, imports, tarifs...do today's news headlines have your stomach in knots? What do the changes in the current economy mean for your business? What do they mean for your own career? Heck, what do they mean for your family?
Join Dr. Mary Kelly, the world's 56th Most Influential Economist, as she exposes the true meaning of the current economic structure, and what that means for your organization's future.
For meeting...
15 Recession-Proof Ways to Grow Your Business in Every Economy
The economy is an ever-shifting force that greatly affects the way we run our businesses and even our lives. Don't be at thw whim of the ups and downs of the market. Learn what you can do to build and grow your business in any economy.
In this in-demand session you'll learn to:
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Put together a clear and effective business plan - fast
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Manage and optimize the strengths and weaknesses of your...
A.R.M.E.D.
You've seen the statistics....
More than 50% of today's workforce are millennials. Ten thousand boomers are retiring each day. There are six million vacant job opportunities in the US.
Companies are on a race to secure the right talent that will ensure their business survives the shifting workforce. Team leaders are navigating the new ways of the workplace....remote work, hiher unemployment, less direct communication, employee loneliness, and a...
CLASSIFIED! The Military's Top Secret Leadership Secrets
Ridiculous gossip, petty competition, office drama...it's the stuff you tell your spouse about over the dinner table. We laugh and exchange knowing glances, but it's also what's keeping your organization from being successful. Workplace distraction and personal agendas are what prohibit your team from being productive and accomplishing their goals. Goals are something that the military knows a lot about! How do the armed forces deal with these challenges and turn immature...
Master Your World: 10 Leadership Strategies to Improve Productivity, Profits, and Communication
We hear the word leadership a lot around the office. But, do we understand what it means to be a leader - regardless of our job title or our place on the ladder? Leadership isn't just a plan for the supervisors and CEOs. Leadership is a set of principles that affects every employee, every team member and every consumer. Leadership is what differentiates the ordinary from the thriving.
Would you like to know if your employees are searching LinkedIn for...
Iceberg ahead! Navigating the World of Business & Leadership
In this uplifting and inspiring keynote, Dr. Mary Kelly gives you a peek into the lessons she has learned about leadership over a decades-long career in the Navy, corporate America and beyond. Mary delights in getting down to business and sharing what most employees wish their leaders knew.
With encouraging stories and true tales from the armed forces, you'll learn to:
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Communicate like a champ
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Change Management: Survive and Thrive in the New Economy
Change is fun for some people, but miserable for others. Personality type, job position, seniority, and past experiences all determine how different people react to the idea of changing the way they conduct business. Understanding how people will react and addressing their concerns in advance of implementation can determine the success or failure of the new process.
Change management is a critical part of any organization that leads, manages, or enables people to accept and embrace...
Why Leaders Fail and the 7 Prescriptions for Success
Forget the last leadership program you sat through. In Dr. Mary Kelly's most popular keynote, the audience will dive directly into the everyday mistakes that are costing supervisors, managers and CEO's time, money and even their reputations.
These are the new rules, the seven positive steps to success...
Stop the Turmoil: 7 Steps to Leading Through a Crisis
Stop. Take a Breath. We may not know what's next but we do know that you're in control. You're in charge and it's your job to set a clear and positive direction for your organization. This is new territory and today your guide is a retired navy commander who experienced first hand what it takes to successfully survive a...
14 recommend Mary
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Housing Colorado
On-Site
S.R., Executive Director, Housing Colorado
Verified @housingcolorado.orgMary is my new favorite speaker! She is smart, funny, engaging, and attentive to our members. She is fabulous with our sponsors (she worked them into the presentation and made them feel special) and she knew our issues. My audiences loved her. I've booked her 3 times for 3 different organizations and she is great!
Special Districts Association Colorado
On-Site
A.T., Executive Director, Special Districts Association Colorado
Verified @sdaco.orgLoved having Mary at the Special District Association! This is our third year with Mary. Mary connects with the audience every time and they love her energy and message. She always goes above and beyond to help the meeting planning team - whatever we need, Mary says yes.
SBDC
On-Site
A.M., Executive Director, SBDC
Verified @elpasoco.comMary's programs are always perfect for whoever is in the audience. She tailors every program and is interactive and funny. She researches the audience and knows what they need. I've seen her present several times and she is always a hit!
Freeport-McMoRan Mining Company
On-Site
K.R., Construction Safety Manager, Freeport-McMoRan Mining Company
Verified @fmi.com"Dr. Mary Kelly was fabulous with our group. We had people from several different countries and we were using translators, which is tough for some speakers. The interpreters said Mary was the best speaker they worked with - she gave them material ahead of time to help make their job easier. Mary integrated every country represented and made them feel included. She participated in our conference and spent time talking to and engaging our participants on her own time. I have received nothing but positive feedback-even unsolicited- about her presentation and her outgoing personality. Everyone enjoyed having her at our conference!"
North Dakota Public Health
On-Site
R.M., Director of Public Health, North Dakota Public Health
Verified @bismarcknd.govExcellent material presented in an exciting way! When she presents her leadership material she makes it seem as though we can all be great leaders. We left each session excited and motivated. We brought Mary in for a leadership and a change management program, and she was a home run in both sessions!
City of Gillette, WY
On-Site
J.A., Human Resources Director, City of Gillette, WY
Verified @gillettewy.govHappy to recommend Mary! She is a great speaker and she worked well with my team.
Colorado Association of Realtors
On-Site
J.W., Professional Development Coordinator, Colorado Association of Realtors
Verified @coloradorealtors.comGreat content and entertaining style! Mary provided fabulous programs for our real estate professionals to grow their business. Attendees raved about her and asked for more. Want lots of content, a great presentation, and a low maintenance (and really nice) speaker? Call Mary.
V-Wise, Institute for Veterans and Military Families
On-Site
M.F., Program Manager, V-Wise, Institute for Veterans and Military Families
Verified @syr.eduI am pleased to recommend Mary C. Kelly, PhD, of Productive Leaders, whom we recently worked with as a guest instructor at our V-Wise National Conference, an alumni training event for close to 300 women veterans and military spouses. Mary created a wonderful, powerful, and effective environment where she connected to several women veterans and and military spouses throughout the three day conference. She also made a commitment to really take the time to get to know the women participants, which demonstrates who Mary is as a person. Even now, a few months after the program, Mary is staying connected to our participants, serving as a continued resource.
StearlingSease
On-Site
L.S., Business Owner, StearlingSease
Verified @sterlingsease.comI so completely enjoyed your terrific presentation to the Colorado Speakers Academy. It was such a great day, and wow! What great ideas and recommendations you shared - so worth my time and that is the highest compliment I can give.
Wyoming Community Development Authority
On-Site
R.S., Director, Human Resources, Wyoming Community Development Authority
Verified @wyomingcda.comI can't thank you enough for coming to Casper and visiting with my group! Everyone raved about how wonderful and personable you were. I hope you had a safe trip home and hope we get to work together again in the near future!
Colorado Association of School Boards
On-Site
L.H., Policy Specialist, Colorado Association of School Boards
Verified @casb.orgOur group loves Mary! We want her to come back every year! Mary's takeaways are so helpful, and we can use them right away. She relates to our audience and they love her humor and energy.
Ensco
On-Site
N.L., Functional Advisor- Payroll, Ensco
Mary was awesome for the Texas Payroll Association! She presented an amazing general session leadership program and gave us 10 techniques we can all use and people raved about that session. Then she did the In Case of Emergency program and people stood in line and missed other sessions to talk with her and Mary stayed all day to meet with our attendees. Absolutely fabulous speaker and a dream to work with. Mary made my job easy.
Women's Council of Realtors
On-Site
L.R., Programs and Events, Women's Council of Realtors
You were both informative and entertaining! This session helped our members with growing their real estate businesses. Thank you!
Senior Resource Council
On-Site
K.H., Executive Director, Senior Resource Council
Verified @srccos.orgFrom myself and the Board of Directors, we want to send another sincere thank you. The SRC prides itself on education for our members, and to get quality speakers is not an easy task. You FAR exceeded quality for us all yesterday. You have such a gift and I am so glad you love sharing it with others. The feedback was incredible.
Videos
Photos
Covers & Jackets
- Why Leaders Fail and the 7 Prescriptions for Success
- In Case of Emergency Break Glass
- Master Your World workbook
- 15 Ways to Grow Your Business in Every Economy
- 360 Degrees of Leadership - Steering Around the Icebergs
- Mary Kelly Speaker Kit with Program Descriptions
- 5 Minutes Per Week 52 Weeks to a Better Business
- Who Comes Next?
- Master Your World book
































