About Kelly Watkins

Professional Speaker, Consultant, and Executive Coach

Kelly has witnessed leadership from awesome to awful – all over the planet (on all 7 continents!)

Kelly Watkins, President of Expressive Concepts

Kelly Watkins – My Story

Kelly Watkins, MBA, is a Global Thought Leader – helping organizations be more effective by developing their employees. Kelly helps people to develop skills, as well as the right attitude, mindset, and perspective. Kelly’s passion is helping people grow and develop to become leaders that are more productive, profitable, and personally fulfilled.

Kelly is President of Expressive Concepts, which she founded in 1992. The company is located near Louisville, Kentucky, USA and conducts business all over the globe.

Kelly is a Professional Speaker, Consultant, and Executive Coach.  She is the author of six books.  Her most recent book is Dubai … & the People Side of Global Business. 

Kelly is former full-time Faculty at the top-ranked Indiana University Kelley School of Business.  She taught courses on Global Management & Leadership and Cross-Cultural Management.  She also created a course on Doing Business in Dubai.

Kelly has also written 100’s of articles.  Publications include Journal of Accountancy, Convention South, SportsEvents, The Courier-Journal, Today’s Woman, BottomLine Business, Christian Retailing, and Automatic Merchandiser.

Currently, Kelly serves on the US Department of Commerce’s District Export Council.  (Approved by the US Secretary of Commerce.)  She is also Global Ambassador for The International Alliance for Women.

Kelly is Past President of the National Speakers Association/KY.  She is Past Chair of Global Development for the National Association of Women Business Owners.  Kelly served on the Board of Directors for the Kelley School of Business Alumni Association for 5 years.  She also served on the Advisory Board for the Center for International Business Education & Research.

Kelly is a Marshall Goldsmith-Certified Executive Coach.  She is also an Authorized Partner with Wiley for DiSC® Behavior Profiles.  Kelly has an MBA in Marketing & International Business, and a B.S. degree with Honors in Marketing with Distinction.

“Kelly’s presentation was tailor made to our agency. Her incorporation of our agency’s mission, goals, and values into her presentation was well done . . . wonderful custom-made program.

Client List

Expressive Concepts has successfully helped hundreds of companies across a wide variety of industries

Medical

  • Abbott Laboratories
  • The Kroger Pharmacy
  • University of Louisville (Nursing Department)
  • SHPS (Healthcare Management)
  • Colorado Chiropractic Association
  • John-Kenyon Eye
  • Total Woman Medical Facility
  • Koby Karp Doctors Eye Institute

Real Estate

  • Franklin Asset Management Co.
  • J/R Architects
  • Dominion Homes
  • Schuler Bauer Realty
  • The Rouse Company (Property Management)
  • Institute of Real Estate Management
  • HUD (Housing & Urban Development) 

Technology & Utilities

  • Appriss Inc.
  • LeapFrog Interactive Agency
  • MDL Information Systems Technology
  • Louisville Gas & Electric (E.ON)
  • KY Assn of Electric Co-ops
  • Southern Company Utilities
  • Easton Utilities
  • Northeast Utilities
  • Glanz Plumbing Heating Cooling 

Manufacturing

  • Safetran Systems (Invensys)
  • Black & Decker
  • Purchased Parts Group
  • Syngenta Crop Protection
  • Viking Supply
  • KYA Quality Conference

Foodservice

  • Yum! (KFC, Taco Bell, Pizza Hut Restaurants)
  • Mobile Industrial Caterers Association
  • Foodservice Consultants Society Internationals
  • Colorado Restaurant Association 

Government

  • Small Business Development Center – Russia
  • Virginia Department of Transportation
  • Pennsylvania Middle District Court
  • US Dairy Association 

Middle East

  • Middle East Businesswoman & Leaders Conference (at Burj Al Arab)
  • Harvard University Conference (for Asian & International Relations)
  • The Hotel Show (at Dubai World Trade Center)
  • Marriott International
  • Professional Speakers Association – Middle East
  • Women as Global Leaders (sponsored by Zayed University)
  • Dubai Human Resources Forum
  • International Federation for Professional Speakers
  • International Business Women’s Group
  • Marriott Dubai
  • Dubai Business Women’s Council
  • GCC Customer Care Conference (at Burj Al Arab)

Hospitality & Tourism

  • Holiday Inn
  • Connected International Meeting Planners Association – Thailand Conference
  • Lindblad Expeditions
  • TradeWinds Resort
  • Outrigger Wailea Resort
  • IN Bowling Centers Association
  • Hospitality Sales & Marketing Association International
  • Society for Travel & Tourism Educators
  • International Travel Academy
  • The Kroger Company (largest Grocery Store Chain in US)
  • Campbell Soup Sales Company
  • GreenTree Mall (Macerich Company – shopping malls)
  • Jefferson Mall (CBL Properties – shopping malls) 

 

Associations

  • International Federation/BPW Conference – Italy
  • Business & Professional Women/Germany
  • Greater Louisville Inc. (Chamber)
  • Business & Professional Women/USA
  • Executive Women International
  • Perry County Chamber of Commerce 

Education

  • Indiana University
  • Clemson University
  • Georgetown College
  • University of Louisville
  • Spalding University

Financial, Insurance, & Accounting

  • InterAmerican Development Bank
  • American Institute of Certified Public Accountants
  • Deloitte
  • Kemper National Insurance
  • Reznick Group
  • Grant Thornton (CPA firm)
  • NationaLease

Books

Books Kelly has written or contributed to: 

Kelly Watkins, Dubai..and the People Side of Global Business

Global Communication

Dubai and the People Side of Global Business

Kelly Watkins, Email Etiquette Made Easy

Communication

Email Etiquette Made Easy

Kelly Watkins, A 3rd Serving of Chicken Soup Book

Inspirational

A 3rd Serving of Chicken Soup for the Soul

Kelly Watkins, Courageous Leadership

Leadership

Courageous Leadership

Publications

Kelly’s articles have appeared in:

Kelly Watkins, Journal of Accountancy
Kelly Watkins, Convention South
Kelly Watkins, Christian or Retailing
Kelly Watkins, Bottomline Inc
Kelly Watkins, Student Lawyer
Kelly Watkins, Sports Events
Kelly Watkins, Podiatry Management
Kelly Watkins, AMEInfo
Kelly Watkins, Gulf Today

Your delivery was exceptional! Your points were direct and relevant. Students can apply the lessons they learned from you directly to their lives. The presentation also provided students with tips they will be able to rely on for the rest of their lives. I know students connected with you.

Amy C. (Executive Director, Global Scholars Program, Georgetown College)

I just wanted to let you know how much I enjoyed the workshop on The Key to Effective Listening. This workshop has opened up a whole new area of discussion for me with many of my colleagues and it has been very beneficial.

Teacher, Linden School District

Contact

Phone

(812) 923-9277

Email

Info@KeepCustomers.com

Address

7304 Old Vincennes Road

Floyds Knobs, IN 47119