Journeys with Jocelyn - Dr. Kristene Kelly
By Jocelyn Gates, Vice President at TurnkeyZRG
I’m so excited to highlight an extremely dynamic, respected, and talented administrator in college athletics, Dr. Kristene Kelly – Deputy AD for Internal Affairs and Senior Woman Administrator at Vanderbilt University.
Kristene, a former softball student-athlete from Johnson C. Smith, also worked in the sports information department at her alma mater upon graduation. She also had stops at Saint Augustine University, Keene State College (where she served as the Director of Athletics), and Dartmouth College before she arrived to Vanderbilt University. She received a Master’s degree from the University of Tennessee, and a Doctor of Education degree from the United States Sports Academy. Kristene is a wife, a mother, and a friend to many.
When I think of someone who is selfless and pours their life into others – I think Kristene Kelly.
When I think of someone who feels blessed to do what she does – I think Kristene Kelly.
When I think of someone who knows how to have fun in this business – I think Kristene Kelly.
When I think of someone who has done it all in college athletic at many different levels – I think Kristene Kelly.
When I think of an incredibly strong, Black woman that bleeds integrity – I think Kristene Kelly.
----and there is no better person to highlight, especially during Black History Month, than Kristene Kelly!
Dr. Kristene Kelly joined Vanderbilt in 2020 as deputy athletic director for internal affairs and serves on the department’s executive team
HBCUs were created to offer a space for Black people to attend college when they were not allowed to attend a PWI. What did your experience mean to you as a student-athlete at an HBCU - then working at one as an athletics administrator?
My experience as a student-athlete was one of maturation, growth, self-discovery as well as where I developed my passion for college athletics. Returning to my alma mater as a sports information director was an amazing opportunity but interesting because, at times, I wasn’t seen past being Kristene Brathwaite, the student even though I was Kristene Kelly, the professional. That was hard and honestly, influenced my decision to move on to another opportunity at a different HBCU. I know that my 15+ years in the world of HBCUs taught me diplomacy, patience, resilience and how to be resourceful.
I’ll also add that many people get pigeon-holed in the mindset that you’re just a divisional (DI, DII, DIII) or an “HBCU” person. So many of us as HBCU graduates/employees have gotten or will get passed up for opportunities at major schools or PWIs because of our career trajectories. It is EXTREMELY rare for someone with a predominantly HBCU background to end up at a PWI, especially an Ivy League institution and then a Power Five university like Vanderbilt. However, we all have a commonality and that’s athletics. It is important to have that black leadership in non-traditional spaces because there are black student-athletes, coaches, and administrators who also need that strong black leadership influence.
What thoughts or advice do you have for Black administrators on navigating predominantly white spaces?
You must do the work and do it twice as good. Is that fair? Not at all…but it’s the way of the world. It’s even harder for women of color. However, you have to be confident and find your why. When you are comfortable in your own skin, when you know you belong – it gives you a sense of ease and empowerment. No, I didn’t go to a Power Five school, but I belong at the table. I have unique experiences and a diverse career trajectory that many others don’t have so my perspectives are distinctively different and equally valuable.
We all know the saying “it takes a village”. Can you tell us about the importance of your village of Black women in college athletics?
I cannot articulate with mere words the importance of your village as a Black woman in college athletics. If I name names, I may miss someone but there are so many strong black women who have and continue to mentor and guide me throughout my career. Many of whom “fixed my crown” without the world knowing it was crooked. As women, we need to do that for each other, and we should want to do that for one another. We are better and stronger together.
We hear sometimes that is hard for Black women in college athletics to show up as their full selves. As a Black woman, mother, and wife - how do you make sure to stay true to who you are?
Whew, this is a loaded question, but I will say knowing and sticking to my core values above all else. For me it’s the four F’s: faith, family, fitness, and fun. My values are a fundamental component of who I am and how I carry myself. I hope that through my professional and personal interactions at work or in the public, people can point to those values.
How has working for someone with similar identities as yours helped you to show up fully?
Admittedly, I have the best job and the best boss in all of college athletics. Dr. Candice Lee, being a black woman, is just another added benefit. Candice is someone who leads the charge in inclusivity. She preaches it, advocates for it and challenges everyone to embrace it. I am truly blessed to work for someone who believes in representation and for me to also to be in a leadership position as an example to other people of color to show up as their full selves. Candice knows that she’s breaking down barriers which is paving the way for others, so they have it easier than us.
What advice do you have for young Black administrators in college athletics?
Be stubborn about your goals but flexible in your methods. Network with people...particularly those who are in positions you aspire to be in and capitalize on those relationships. Volunteer for stretch assignments especially if it provides the opportunity to work across the organization. Denver Broncos Vice President of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion, Dr. China Jude, once said: “be great in the job that you are in but speak, network, and educate yourself for the position you want.”
Additionally, for those in leadership positions. As more and more people of color are given opportunities to lead organizations, we need to truly embody the phrase “Each One, Reach One”. We all have a responsibility to reach down and bring someone else up with us. There are so many people who will stand on our shoulders, so we must pay it forward.
Get to know you:
Favorite food? I’m a foodie so it changes but there was a time I ate pizza every Friday night for at least 12 years.
Favorite song? Danza Kuduro by Lucenzo featuring Don Omar
Favorite thing to do outside of work? Workout in my garage and watch Nollywood shows on Netflix
Best professional opportunity you have taken part of? Dr. Charles Whitcomb Leadership Institute (formerly known as the NCAA Leadership Institute for Ethnic Minorities)
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ABOUT TURNKEYZRG
Founded in 1996, TurnkeyZRG is a highly specialized talent recruitment/executive search firm filling C-level, senior-level and mid-management level positions throughout sports, entertainment, music and media. Over the past 25 years, TurnkeyZRG has filled more than 1,400 positions throughout sports, entertainment and media. TurnkeyZRG helps teams, leagues, stadiums, arenas, theaters, college athletic departments, events, sponsors, agencies, media companies, private equity companies and other clients identify, recruit and hire the very best management talent. Turnkey now benefits from ZRG’s global footprint, full array of industry practice groups, data-driven, analytical search tools, and technology investment in changing the way executive search/talent recruiting is done. TurnkeyZRG becomes a tech-enabled disrupter of the prior executive search model.