Kelli Haywood, a native of Kansas City, Missouri, completed her Master’s of Sports Administration program at Northwestern University, where her concentration field was Marketing and Public Relations. In 2008 she earned her Bachelor’s degree from Spelman College where she was a varsity basketball player and Dean’s List Honor’s student. Kelli is also a member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Incorporated.

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Prior to launching Dream On Education, Kelli worked in Account Marketing for Adidas and for Walgreens Corporate as a Strategic Planning Analyst, where she supported, both, the Visual Merchandising and the Promotional Planning divisions. Kelli also worked as Director of Corporate Development at the American Heart Association. She previously interned with Sprint Nextel (INROADS, Inc.), the Chicago Bulls, and the YMCA of Greater Chicago.

 

She is a member of the 1871 Leadership Council, Forbes Nonprofit Leadership Council, and the New Life Community Partnership Network. She was also one of 10 WeWork Creator Awards (Midwest) 2017 Finalists, a 2016 Learning Dimensions Learning Change Agent, and a 2016 State Farm Neighborhood Assist Finalist. In 2019, Dream On Education was named the Excellent Emerging Leader Organization by the Axelson Center for Nonprofits. Additionally, Kelli has worked as a consultant for The Obama Foundation’s Community Leadership Corp, helping over (35) young professionals launch community-focused organizations, initiatives, and programs.