With over 30 years of experience in education, Joy Kelly is a dedicated leader and advocate for building school cultures that foster trust, excellence, and meaningful relationships. Recognized as the 2015 Iowa Associate Principal of the Year, Joy believes that a strong and positive school culture is the cornerstone of any successful school.

As co-author of Handle with Care: Managing Difficult School Situations with Dignity and Respect with Jimmy Casas, Joy provides practical strategies and a proven framework to help educators navigate challenges with professionalism and compassion. Grounded in the four core principles of Jimmy’s award-winning book Culturize—Be a Champion for Others, Expect Excellence, Carry the Banner, and Be a Merchant of Hope—Joy’s work inspires educators to lead with integrity and purpose.

A sought-after speaker, Joy has presented at state and national conferences, as well as in schools across the country. Her talks motivate educators to reflect on their core values, strengthen relationships with students and staff, and develop leadership language that creates lasting positive impact.

In addition, Joy serves as an executive leadership coach for school leaders at the building and district levels. Through personalized 1:1 and small group coaching, she helps leaders identify core values, cultivate trust, hold others accountable, and build leadership capacity. Her work empowers schools to become places where educators thrive, parents feel confident sending their children, and students excel in a safe and engaging environment.