Keely Conrey
Keely C. is the Owner, Founder, and Publisher of North Shore City Lifestyle, a hyper-local community magazine franchise and landing page within the City Lifestyle network. She launched the magazine’s first print and digital issue in November 2024 and manages its editorial direction, partner branding, and multi-channel marketing offerings. With over 15 years of experience in business development, sales, and account management, Keely brings a results-driven approach to both her publications and her broader professional endeavors, consistently delivering value to readers, partners, and advertisers alike.
Keely’s professional focus emphasizes curated, community-first editorial rather than ad-heavy pages. She strategically positions one partner per category such as a realtor, auto dealer, or physician to create a tightly networked branding experience that delivers ongoing value beyond a single advertisement. Her philosophy centers on showing up, building meaningful relationships, and fostering lasting connections across communities and industries. Throughout her career, she has led product development, optimized operations, collaborated with clients, and cultivated professional networks. Keely also holds a Green Belt Lean Six Sigma certification, demonstrating her expertise in process improvement and operational efficiency.
A Michigan State University alumna with a B.A. in Advertising and Journalism, Keely began her career in national and international advertising agencies before expanding into sales, government contracting including international work in Afghanistan, Uganda, and Abu Dhabi, and ultimately magazine publishing. She attributes part of her success to mentorship from Brynn Ray, who guided her in product development, operations, client engagement, and professional networking. Beyond her work, Keely actively supports Chicagoland nonprofits and fundraising initiatives, reinforcing her commitment to building connections and making a meaningful impact both professionally and locally.
• CPT
• Lean Six Sigma
• Michigan State University - B.A, Marketing, Advertising, Journalism
• WiNGs
• Gratitude Generation
• Fundraising, Ronald McDonald House Charities
• Fundraiser, Event Promotion, Not For Sale
What do you attribute your success to?
Passion for the work, consistently showing up, and being an effective connector who responds and follows up with people.
What’s the best career advice you’ve ever received?
Put yourself out there; no contact or collaboration is a waste. Attend events, be present in the community, and engage directly rather than staying behind a screen.
What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
Reach out to everyone and be present; network actively. At the same time, set boundaries and schedule private time so you don't burn out.
What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?
Challenge: differentiating print offerings and demonstrating measurable ROI when print is used alone. Opportunity: adopting a multi-channel approach (print + digital + social) to deliver measurable marketing solutions while retaining print's credibility.
What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
Integrity and showing up (consistency and reliability).