Christy Kelly,
Marketing and Development

Background:
I am a native of Miami, Florida, went to college at The University of Florida as well as the College of Charleston Institute for Organizational Management. I worked as a Senior Lending Officer with Chase Manhattan Bank for 3 years, and for the past 25+ years have been in non profit management. My family has strong ties to Highlands, and I spent my childhood summers in this area. My parents and several of my siblings moved here year-round in the 70's. In 1993 I left Florida and my position as Director of Development with the March of Dimes and came to Highlands. I served as Executive Director of the Highlands Chamber of Commerce for 8 years, Executive Director of Peggy Crosby Community Services Center for 3; I also planned outdoor programs for The Highlands Hiker. I have been very involved in community volunteer work including service as a co-founder of Leadership Highlands, founding board member of Macon County Habitat for Humanity, a Trustee with Summit Charter School and Education Tomorrow, Highlands Cashiers Hospice and various leadership roles with Rotary Club of Highlands, including Community Services Director, International Youth Exchange Host and Interact Club Mentor. I was honored to be named Rotarian of the Year 1997. I am currently serving on the Peggy Crosby Service Center Board and am the US Congress District 11 Advocate Team Leader with the American Cancer Society. I am also active with our local Relay for Life.

What attracted you to The Mountain?
I believe that people are powerfully shaped by their natural environment, and the extraordinary beauty and sacredness of The Mountain resonated very deeply with me, as I believe it does with everyone who has been here. I have never outgrown my own need for camp!

What would you like to accomplish in your work at The Mountain?

I would like to expand the outreach of The Mountain to include a wider community.

About your family:

Between us, my partner Jim and I have six wonderful adult children. They have taught us everything we know. My son Kelly is a chef and lives in Highlands. My daughter Erin is pursuing a Masters in Divinity at The University of Chicago, daughter Kate lives and works in Atlanta with The Cheesecake Factory and daughter Casey works in Youth Ministry in Atlanta. Jim's son Joseph has a doctorate in Astrophysics and is doing research at UMass Amherst. Daughter Molly is a nurse and lives in Florida.

What do you find most important in life?

Next to my family, my highest value is community and issues of social justice are at the forefront of importance to me. Believing this to be the best work of The Mountain as well, I find hope for a better world.