Kelly hails from the Midwest where she attended Illinois State University before moving up to the “bright lights and big city” of Chicago. There her property management career took off, as did her alcoholism. When her career ended due in part to her addiction, she found herself reaching out for help and she got it. Her sobriety started over 17 years ago in Chicago where she is forever grateful for the experience of being a newcomer in a strong, active, disciplined 12-step community.  “My foundation for sobriety was set in place there – going to any lengths, service work, middle of the night 12 step calls, gratitude - and the best part was finding fun in sobriety.”

Following her passion for adventure, the road led to Montana, where she’ll say part of her heart still remains. “There I hiked in the Bob Marshall Wilderness, kayaked the Clark Fork, canoed the wild and scenic Missouri, skied down Lone Mountain in Big Sky, camped out at Yellowstone and Glacier…there I truly found my higher power”. Kelly credits the local recovery community and her dear friends for introducing her to wilderness ethics, backcountry protocol, proper land management and sustainability.  Naturally combining her recovery and the outdoors, she entered the Outdoor Adventure and Wilderness Treatment scene that led her to co-facilitate trips with teens in the Mazatzal Wilderness in AZ, Hoh Rain Forest in WA, and several backcountry ranges in Montana. Her background also includes extensive youth work in the areas of drug court, mentoring and group home living.

Kelly holds a Maters Degree in Addiction Studies and a License for Drug and Alcohol Counseling.  Her outdoor credentials include Wilderness First Responder and National Outdoor Leadership School Backcountry Trip Leader. Within the Gatehouse organization, Kelly was instrumental in solidifying the younger female program at Hassayampa River Ranch, she led dynamic recovery work out at other campuses, and has also been involved in management of the Gatehouse College Campus in Prescott, AZ.