Kelly is an occupational therapist and works as an Account Risk Manager for Risk Administration Services (RAS), the largest provider of workers' compensation insurance in the state of South Dakota. She also serves as Clinical Faculty for the Occupational Therapy Doctoral Program at the University of South Dakota. Occupational therapy has always recognized the importance of the connection between mental and physical wellness and The 437 Project is a tremendous opportunity to share that message with even more people across the state.
Kelly has run 10 marathons, several ultramarathons, and numerous relay-style races with her all-female team, Great Faces, Great Paces. In addition to running the inaugural 437 Project in 2022, her proudest running accomplishments include her team's 3rd place finish at the storied Hood to Coast Relay and qualifying for the Boston Marathon. Of all these running endeavors, however, her favorites are the finish lines she crosses with her family or friends; especially if she can manage to finish just slightly ahead of her husband or 3 children!
"When The 437 Project team crossed our first finish line in 2022, we all got the sense that our work had really just begun. As someone whose running has become increasingly about my own mental rather than physical health, I couldn't be more proud to be running The 437 Project again in 2023. Every day it's a privilege to be able to run. And it's still alright."