Faculty Degree Kelli Williams helps leaders and organizations use storytelling, strategy, and storytelling to build brands and careers that matter. With over 20 years of experience across corporate, agency, and nonprofit sectors, Kelli has led marketing for national brands, served as CEO of The BrandLab, and founded Legacy Rising, a social enterprise focused on healing-centered coaching, cultural storytelling, and leadership development. Kelli’s marketing leadership includes work with organizations across multiple industries and her thought leadership has been featured in USA Today and Forbes, and she was selected as the 2024 Commencement Speaker for MCAD. As a certified trauma-informed coach, Kelli brings a unique, human-centered approach to the business of influence. In the classroom, she is passionate about helping students connect the dots between persuasion and purpose, equipping them to use their creativity as a force for impact. Kelli also teaches and speaks on topics like brand storytelling, inclusive leadership, and identity in the workplace. She lives in Champlin with her family and loves mushroom coffee, walking, and watching young people walk boldly in their gifts.