Her Story
About Kailia
Kailia Utley has dedicated her professional efforts to nonprofit work supporting individuals with disabilities through swim instruction and coaching. She began volunteering with the Nashville Dolphins in 2021 during her freshman year at Vanderbilt University, where she competed on the Division I women's swim team. Over the course of her undergraduate years, she progressed from volunteer to lead instructor, intern, and eventually assistant to the executive director, managing both in-office operations and on-site swim lessons and coaching for the swim team, including Special Olympics events. A highlight of her contributions was initiating and leading the partnership between the Vanderbilt Women's Swim Team and the Nashville Dolphins, which provided additional pool space and volunteer resources to accommodate the organization's growing waitlist. Utley recently completed her Master's of Science in Bioarchaeological and Forensic Anthropology and is now pursuing opportunities in healthcare, with interests in consulting, medical devices, research, sales, and potentially becoming a prosthetist or orthotist to further support people with disabilities.
Her Interview
Ten minutes with Kailia
01What do you attribute your success to?
My family has always upheld strong core values of service and commitment to others, and they have supported me in everything I do. I knew that taking on the endeavour of establishing a partnership between the Vanderbilt Women’s Swim Team and the Nashville Dolphins would not be an easy task, but my family and close friends were always there to encourage me to push forward and dedicate myself to a cause I was passionate about: serving others.
I also could not have formed this partnership without the collaboration and support of Vanderbilt Aquatics Director Will Jordan and Nashville Dolphins Executive Director Brenda Vroon. They worked closely with me throughout the process, helping turn my initial vision into a meaningful and lasting partnership.
02What’s the best career advice you’ve ever received?
Stay curious, stay true to your values, and never forget the people in your corner who are cheering you on.
03What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
Leave every place better than you found it. Be courageous. Be passionate. Be bold. Be unapologetically you. Stand up for what you believe in, even when it is difficult. Find beauty in the smallest moments, never lose sight of what matters most, and always remember to laugh.
04What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?
Some of the biggest challenges I have faced have come when working with people who may not place the same value on service that I do or who approach unfamiliar situations with hesitation. I think people naturally fear what they have not experienced or do not fully understand, and fear can make us act in ways that protect ourselves without always leaving enough compassion, time, or space for others.
I also think the narrative we often rely upon as a society can be very individually driven. It is important to remember to look up and see the people around you—to recognise that we are all navigating this world for the first time, bringing different experiences, challenges, and perspectives with us. No one has lived this life before, and in many ways, we are all simply trying to do the best we can with what we know.
Because of that, I think there is tremendous value in remaining open to what other people can teach us. Someone may come from a completely different background or have a different set of skills, but their experiences can provide knowledge and perspectives that are valuable in ways we may not initially recognise. I believe some of the greatest opportunities for growth come from being willing to listen to people whose experiences differ from our own and considering how their knowledge can be applied to the challenges in front of us.
05What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
I have always believed in the idea of leaving a place better than you found it. In every room you enter, you have an opportunity to make a positive impact on the people around you. You never truly know what someone else may be going through, or how much your actions, even the smallest ones, can affect another person.
I believe wholeheartedly in being a part of something greater than yourself. It means looking beyond your own needs and wants and finding ways to use your gifts and talents for the betterment of others—otherwise, what is the point of having them? I also believe that some of the most important things in life are the things you have to fight for, and they are worth fighting for. In moments of doubt or when faced with obstacles, it is important not to lose sight of the purpose behind your actions.
I also believe in always staying curious. There is always something more to learn, whether from the people around you, new experiences, challenges, or even failure. Being willing to ask questions, listen to different perspectives, and challenge what you already know is essential to continued growth. I never want to become so comfortable in what I know that I stop being open to what I can still learn.
Ultimately, there are very few things in life that we can truly control. What we can control is our work ethic, effort, energy, attitude, passion, and ability to adapt. Focusing on those things, while remaining curious and grounded in your purpose, allows you to continue moving forward and ultimately helps lead you toward the person you want to become and the impact you want to leave behind.
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