Her Story
About Kaelynn
Kaelynn Ball serves as a marketing professional at the Howard County Tourism Organization in Ellicott City, Maryland. She brings eight years of marketing experience to her role, including three years in destination marketing. Her career began with work at local nonprofits and business organizations such as the Business Improvement Association, Festival Association, and Chamber of Commerce, which provided insight into how small businesses support destinations. In her current position, she handles graphic design for advertisements, writes radio scripts and blog posts, manages social media and influencer communications, supports local events, and strategizes media buys. Ball is self-taught, drawing on LinkedIn courses, Microsoft vendor learning materials, and practical experience rather than formal college education. She was selected for the Destinations International 30 Under 30 class of 2026, in part due to her promotion to a management role within her first year in the industry. She maintains connections with the local Chamber of Commerce and attributes her success to an attitude of continual learning, following curiosity, and trusting herself to grow into new challenges.
Her Interview
Ten minutes with Kaelynn
01What do you attribute your success to?
I think an attitude that, of continual learning. Sometimes face some self-doubt, and feel like I might not be able to take the next step, but, having an attitude of saying, even if I don't know what the next step involves, or might not know the next chapter in full detail, knowing that I can grow into it, and I can learn more. By being in a position with room to grow, has really helped me to kind of step forward into positions, instead of kind of holding myself back. So, taking on challenges before being ready, and just making sure that you can say yes, and work hard. To trust yourself to grow into new opportunities.
02What’s the best career advice you’ve ever received?
I would think that it would be to, follow your curiosity, trust yourself, and to keep an attitude of continual learning. Those 3 things, I feel like, have really helped me every time I've hit a Wall, or encountered friction in my workplace. I kind of lean back to those, and those help me find the next step.
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