Mary Kelly
CVP

Mary Kelly

PhD, CSP, CPAE, CDR, US Navy

TN, US

14 reviews

12 verified

Commander/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.

14 reviews

12 verified

certified virtual presenter

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 's Virtual Presenter Certificate

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 's Virtual Presenter Certificate

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...
Educational / Informative

Who Comes Next? Leadership Succession Planning Made Easy

75 million baby boomers are reaching retirement age in the next several years. Whether you are one of them or one of the many leaders who will be navigating the changes, it is imperative that you have a plan. 

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...

LeadershipAudience ActivityEducational / InformativeTechnical / Specific

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...

EconomyAudience ActivityEducational / InformativeInspirational / Life-changingHumorous / Funny

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:

  • Put together a clear and effective business plan - fast

  • Manage and optimize the strengths and weaknesses of your...

Entertainment-basedAudience ActivityEducational / InformativeTechnical / SpecificInspirational / Life-changingHumorous / Funny

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...

LeadershipAudience ActivityEducational / Informative

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...

LeadershipAudience ActivityEducational / Informative

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...

LeadershipEntertainment-basedAudience ActivityEducational / InformativeInspirational / Life-changingHumorous / Funny

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:

  • Communicate like a champ

LeadershipEducational / InformativeInspirational / Life-changing

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...

Entertainment-basedAudience ActivityEducational / InformativeInspirational / Life-changingHumorous / Funny

Why Leaders Fail and the 7 Prescriptions for Success

Note: I can present any of my programs virtually. My office setting is professional, and I have high-quality equipment to broadcast my virtual presentation.

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...
LeadershipEducational / InformativeInspirational / Life-changingHumorous / Funny

Stop the Turmoil: 7 Steps to Leading Through a Crisis

Note: I can present any of my programs virtually. My office setting is professional, and I have high-quality equipment to broadcast my virtual presentation.

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...
Audience ActivityEducational / Informative
Mary 's Virtual Presenter Certificate

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14 recommend Mary

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Housing Colorado

On-Site

S.R., Executive Director, Housing Colorado
Verified @housingcolorado.org

Mary 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.org

Loved 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.com

Mary'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.gov

Excellent 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.gov

Happy 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.com

Great 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.edu

I 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.com

I 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.com

I 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.org

Our 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.org

From 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.