
Mary Kelly
Ph.D., CSP, CDR, US Navy Ret. — CPAE Speaker Hall of Fame | Crisis, Leadership & Change
About Mary Kelly
Economic, geopolitical, workplace, and domestic crises are all around us — and they are impacting your organization right now. Dr. Mary Kelly, Ph.D., CSP, CDR US Navy Ret. and CPAE Speaker Hall of Fame inductee, gives leaders the tools, techniques, and tactics they need to succeed.
Organizations and teams face crises, challenges, and changes every day. Internal issues — leadership shifts, resignations, the loss of an important client, the absence of a manager — and external forces — stock market volatility, supply chain delays, natural disasters, inflation, and global unrest — all contribute to increased uncertainty and decreased productivity. Regardless of the origin of the crisis, the consequences can be catastrophic and can jeopardize the company's future.
Understanding Mary's 6 stages of every crisis, challenge, or change and then applying her 5 steps to P.I.V.O.T. through it gives leaders a decisive competitive advantage. Using the P.I.V.O.T. acronym, leaders reinvigorate their teams with a sense of purpose; they are prepared to inspire and influence others every day; they assess volatile situations correctly; they see opportunities when others see only problems; and they ensure their teams have the tools, techniques, training, and tactics they need to succeed.
Her signature program "Navigating Turbulence: Leadership For Guiding Teams Through Crisis, Challenge, and Change" equips leaders with the skills, strategies, and resilience needed to steer their teams through the toughest conditions. Available in-person, virtual, live streaming, keynote, breakout, and full-day formats — for executives, managers, and leaders across industries.
Speaking Topics
Credentials & Experience
- Ph.D. — Economist and leadership expert
- CSP — Certified Speaking Professional
- CDR, US Navy Retired
- CPAE Speaker Hall of Fame inductee
- Creator of the 6 Stages of Crisis and the P.I.V.O.T. leadership framework
- Signature program: Navigating Turbulence — available in-person, virtual, live streaming, keynote, breakout, and full-day formats
Audiences Leave Inspired To
- ✔Master strategic decision-making under pressure and develop crisis communication skills that inspire confidence and maintain team morale
- ✔Recognize the psychological dynamics of resilience and implement strategies to bolster individual and collective team resilience
- ✔Apply Mary's 6 stages of crisis and 5-step P.I.V.O.T. framework to navigate any crisis, challenge, or change with clarity
- ✔Foster a culture of adaptability and innovation — and learn what happy, high-performing workplaces are doing right
- ✔Master the principles of effective change leadership and gain tools for managing resistance during organizational transitions
Ideal For
- ✔Corporate Leadership & Executive Conferences
- ✔Crisis Management & Business Continuity Events
- ✔Association & Industry Conventions
- ✔Government & Military Leadership Programs
- ✔HR & Organizational Development Events
- ✔Sales Kickoffs & Annual Meetings
- ✔University & Graduate Leadership Programs
- ✔Full-Day Leadership Workshops & Retreats
Watch Mary Kelly Speak
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