Kelly Keefe

President

An award-winning business leader and human resources professional, Kelly is the first female president in ERC’s 104-year history.

A pioneer in making a flexible work arrangement a success, Kelly knows that great workplaces value both results and people. Under her leadership, ERC has used data to help organizations locally and nationally benchmark their policies, practices, and benefits to remain competitive and to attract and retain the best workers.

Through ERC surveys and polls and by keeping a constant pulse on our clients’ needs and industry trends, Kelly sets the vision and overall strategy for all business lines, including training, HR consulting and support, coaching and assessments, and research services.

All of ERC’s services are focused on helping our clients and members build workplaces where employees can be their best selves. She oversees ERChealth, an Ohio health insurance program for midsize employers, and NorthCoast 99, our annual recognition program and event that honors 99 great Northeast Ohio workplaces for top talent.

Through the NorthCoast 99 program, Kelly and her team are making a major impact on the Northeast Ohio economy by assisting regional employers in attracting, developing, and retaining high-performing individuals. Kelly manages the NorthCoast 99 program from conception to execution. She creates and communicates the vision, builds sponsorships, and implements best practices. She also serves as the master of ceremonies at the event which attracts over 700 guests each year.

Kelly believes that people are an organization’s most valuable asset, and each person needs the right tools and training to be successful. She lives out this belief daily by providing our staff with coaching, counseling, and skill assessment.

An active volunteer and philanthropist, Kelly is heavily involved in various nonprofit organizations, committees, and community programs. She is a mentor for College Now and serves as Vice Chair on the Board of Make-a-Wish. Previously, she served on the Board of Directors for Notre Dame-Cathedral Latin School (NDCL), and she was a founding member of the NDCL Alumni Association. Kelly also volunteered as president of the Parent Teacher Organization at St. Paschal Baylon School, and she was a member of their Strategic Planning Committee. Kelly is a graduate of the 2020 Leadership Cleveland program, and she is a recipient of the 2023 Smart Business News Progressive Woman Award.

Kelly holds a bachelor’s degree in communications from the University of Dayton. She is a Senior Certified Professional by the Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM-SCP).