Retired US Navy Commander, Economist, Bestselling Author, Former Professor at the Naval Academy & Air Force Academy; 2020 Hall of Fame Speaker on Leadership, Change Management & Planning

Colorado, USA
Live Event: $10,000 - $20,000 Virtual Event: $5,000 - $10,000 More Fee Info

Mary Kelly Biography

Commander Dr. Mary Kelly, US Navy (retired) spent 25 years of active duty in the Navy, where she served in various roles including as an intelligence officer, chief of police, HR director, and chief of staff. She was a military professor at the Naval Academy, and a civilian professor at the Air Force Academy and Hawaii Pacific University. She learned lessons in leadership in the first and second Gulf Wars and during 9/11. Her real-world military and industry examples resonate with participants.

From her extensive military background to her role as one of today’s most influential economists, Kelly has carved out an impactful career in leadership. Having trained over 40,000 military and civilian personnel, Kelly is now on a mission to spread her message of success with audiences worldwide, sharing with them the secrets to being a true leader in today’s workplace. She also offers targeted keynotes like "A.R.M.E.D" which focuses on attracting, recruiting, mentoring, evolving, and developing the next generation of leaders.

A high-energy keynote speaker, Kelly is focused on using research, laughter, and experience to show professionals how to excel. Kelly’s relatable, no-nonsense approach inspires audiences to embrace their roles, surpass their goals, and plan for the future. She is known for her engaging and humorous presentation style, which makes her sessions not only informative but also highly entertaining.

Kelly is the author of 13 books on business growth, leadership, and today’s economy, including notable titles like "Master Your World: 10 Leadership Strategies to Improve Productivity, Profits and Communication" and "Why Leaders Fail and the 7 Prescriptions for Success." She is a speaker, coach, and trainer who has worked with hundreds of organizations and companies across the globe, delivering key insights in leadership, productivity, and economic strategy.

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Speaker profile last updated by AAE Talent Team on 11/10/2025.

Mary Kelly Speaking Topics

  • NAVIGATING CRISIS

    Navigating Turbulence: Leadership For Guiding Teams Through Crisis, Challenge, and Change

    “Navigating Turbulence” equips leaders with the skills, strategies, and resilience needed to steer their teams through times of crisis, overcome challenges, and embrace change.

    Strategic Leadership During Crisis

    • Refine the art of strategic decision-making under pressure.
    • Develop crisis communication skills that inspire confidence and maintain team morale.
    • Understand successful crisis management across various industries.

    Build Resilient and Happy Teams During Challenges

    • Recognize the psychological dynamics of resilience and its impact on team performance.
    • Foster a culture of adaptability and innovation within your team.
    • Implement strategies to bolster individual and collective resilience.
    • See what happy workplaces are doing right and adapt those techniques.

    Embrace Change Management

    • Master the principles of effective change leadership.
    • Use Mary’s toolkit for leading teams through organizational transitions.
    • Gain insights into how to manage resistance.

    Using the acronym, P.I.V.O.T. leaders reinvigorate their teams with a sense of purpose; they are prepared to inspire and influence others every day, they assess volatile situations in the right way, they see opportunities when others see only problems, and make sure their teams have the tools, techniques, training, and tactics they need to succeed.

    This program is for executives, managers, and leaders across industries committed to enhancing their leadership skills and guiding their teams through the complexities of crisis, challenge, and change.

  • CHALLENGE AND CHANGE

    P.I.V.O.T.: How to Lead Teams through Crisis, Challenge, and Change

    Do your people understand the six stages of a crisis?

    Do your leaders recognize the stage their people are in and do they react appropriately?

    Are your leaders leading, or just hoping for the right outcomes?

    • Understand the six stages of any change, challenge, or crisis.
    • Implement the five ways to P.I.V.O.T. through the crisis.
    • Use the seven leadership reminders to lead out of a crisis.

    In order to successfully lead people through and out of a crisis, first, we have to understand the 6 stages of the crisis. Based on her Navy experiences during the first and second Gulf Wars and 9-11, Commander Mary Kelly articulates the reactions of people in various stages of change, challenge, or crisis.

    As effective leaders, we have to be able to help our people P.I.V.O.T. through the crisis, by renewing their sense of purpose, influencing and inspiring others to take the right action, assessing the volatility levels, seeing the opportunities, providing the right tools, techniques, and technology that allow people to succeed. Then we can apply Mary’s seven leadership reminders, using the acronym C.L.A.M.P.E.R. so that we are providing the right response to the right people at the right time to achieve the right outcomes.

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Mary Kelly Videos

Mary Kelly - Top Secret Leadership - Leadership Keynote Speaker

Mary Kelly - Top Secret Leadership - Leadership Keynote Speaker

Unlock the Secrets of Exceptional Leadership with Mary Kelly! Dive into the world of transformative leadership with Mary Kelly's insightful...

Leading Through Crisis, Challenge, and Change with Mary Kelly, PhD, BF

Leading Through Crisis, Challenge, and Change with Mary Kelly, PhD, BF

Crises are all around us. Leaders, managers, and business owners need tangible tools, techniques, and tactics to effectively lead themselves and...

Dr. Mary Kelly's Virtual Programs, Virtual Events, and Virtual Summits

Dr. Mary Kelly's Virtual Programs, Virtual Events, and Virtual Summits

We need to stay positive, motivated, focused, and forward-thinking. This is especially difficult during uncertain times. We can continue to...

  • How do I book Mary Kelly to speak at my event?

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  • What are the speaker fees for Mary Kelly

    Speaking fees for Mary Kelly, or any other speakers and celebrities, are determined based on a number of factors and may change without notice. The estimated fees to book Mary Kelly are $10,000 - $20,000 for live events and under $10,000 for virtual events. For the most current speaking fee to hire Mary Kelly, click the Check Availability button above and complete the form on this page, or call our office at 1.800.698.2536 to speak directly with an experienced booking agent.
  • What topics does Mary Kelly speak about?

  • Where does Mary Kelly travel from?

    Mary Kelly generally travels from Colorado, USA, but can be booked for private corporate events, personal appearances, keynote speeches, or other performances. For more details, please contact an AAE Booking agent.
  • Who is Mary Kelly’s agent?

    AAE Speakers Bureau has successfully booked keynote speakers like Mary Kelly for clients worldwide since 2002. As a full-service speaker booking agency, we have access to virtually any speaker or celebrity in the world. Our agents are happy and able to submit an offer to the speaker or celebrity of your choice, letting you benefit from our reputation and long-standing relationships in the industry. Please click the Check Availability button above and complete the form on this page including the details of your event, or call our office at 1.800.698.2536, and one of our agents will assist you to book Mary Kelly for your next private or corporate function.
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Mary Kelly is a keynote speaker and industry expert who speaks on a wide range of topics such as NAVIGATING CRISIS, CHALLENGE AND CHANGE, PLANNING MADE EASY, LEADERSHIP SUCCESS, THE ECONOMY AND ECONOMIC FORCES DEFINED and PROFITS, PRODUCTIVITY, AND COMMUNICATION. The estimated speaking fee range to book Mary Kelly for your event is $10,000 - $20,000. Mary Kelly generally travels from CO, USA and can be booked for (private) corporate events, personal appearances, keynote speeches, or other performances. Similar motivational celebrity speakers are Libby Gill, Karen Baetzel, Dr. Jackie Freiberg, Summer Jelinek and Vernice "FlyGirl" Armour. Contact All American Speakers for ratings, reviews, videos and information on scheduling Mary Kelly for an upcoming live or virtual event.

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