Grace Killelea

Grace Killelea has over three decades of experience in corporate human resources and is highly regarded for her expertise in leadership development. She is the CEO and Founder of The GKC Group, a leadership development firm based in Philadelphia, which she established after retiring in 2012 to focus on empowering women and later, co-ed groups, through innovative leadership programs. Killelea is also the author of "The Confidence Effect," which was recognized as one of the top business books of 2016 by INC.com.

Throughout her career, Killelea has been dedicated to supporting and promoting the advancement of women in the workplace. She founded Half The Sky Leadership for Women in 2013 and Quattro Leadership in 2015, with both programs aimed at cultivating high potential leaders. More than 800 leaders have graduated from these programs, which are held in various cities. Killelea has also facilitated a premier executive leadership program for women in the telecommunications industry, showcasing her commitment to women's professional growth.

Killelea is a prominent keynote speaker known for her dynamic presentation skills and has spoken at notable conferences including the Massachusetts and Texas Conferences for Women, the Watermark Conference for Women in Silicon Valley, and the Network of Executive Women National Conference in DC. Her speeches often focus on accountability in the workplace, leadership stamina, resilience, and navigating stress. She has been honored with numerous awards, such as the SmartCEO Brava Award for being a Top Philadelphia Female CEO in 2015 and was named a 2016 Woman to Watch by PhillyBiz Magazine.