Kelly is a Program Manager, Learning and Development, for the National Qualified Representative Program at Acacia, where she provides training, consultation, and support for Qualified Representatives and staff who represent and work with individuals with mental health and competency concerns. Kelly is originally from Seattle, Washington, and has represented individuals in removal proceedings since 2015 in New York, Washington State, and most recently in Los Angeles, California, where she developed expertise as a Qualified Representative, representing individuals in removal proceedings who have been found mentally incompetent. Kelly is especially interested in the intersections of the criminal and immigration justice systems. Her drive to work towards dismantling systemic injustice and oppression began in adolescence at a youth program where she had opportunities to learn and dialogue with peers about social issues. She later studied social work, where her determination for dismantling these systems grew, especially during inter-group dialogue courses that contemplated the intersections of race, class, and gender. Kelly has always strived to bring a social equity perspective to her work as an immigration attorney.
Outside of work, Kelly likes to stay active with swimming, hiking, and biking; she loves to cook and loves to eat; and she loves playing, writing, and listening to music.