Kelly McDonald

Kelly McDonald is considered one of the nation’s top experts in leadership, marketing, the customer experience, and consumer trends. She is recognized for her contributions to diversity & inclusion, customer service, and understanding consumer differences.

Her client experience includes notable brands such as Toyota, State Farm, NASA, Kimberly-Clark, Nike, Harley-Davidson, Great Clips, Miller Beer, and Sherwin-Williams. She has also worked with major companies like Chubb, IIABA, and others, enhancing her profile in the industry.

McDonald was named one of the “10 Most Booked Speakers in the U.S.” by Successful Meetings Magazine. Additionally, she topped the list of "26 Hot Speakers" highlighting her consistent demand as a speaker.

She has been featured on media outlets such as CNBC, Forbes, INC. Magazine, BusinessWeek, CEO World, Fast Company, Bloomberg BusinessWeek, and CNNMoney.com. Her insights are sought after in various platforms including television and digital media.

She is the author of four bestselling books, each addressing critical aspects of modern business practices and workplace culture. Notable among her publications is “It’s Time to Talk about Race at Work: Every Leader’s Guide to Making Progress on Diversity, Equity & Inclusion,” which debuted as the #1 Bestselling Business Book in the U.S. Her other works include "How to Work With and Lead People Not Like You," "Crafting the Customer Experience For People Not Like You," and "How to Market to People Not Like You."

McDonald resides in Denver. When not traveling for speaking engagements, she enjoys boxing, shopping for high heels, and has recently taken up learning to play the cello. Her ability to connect with audiences across various platforms and settings marks her as a prominent figure in addressing key business challenges and trends.