Her Story
About Kelli
Kelli Drennan is an urban planner in the government sector based in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina. With nearly two years of experience, she leads the cultural resources element of the city's comprehensive plan. Her career path began with undergraduate degrees in anthropology and Spanish, after which she taught high school Spanish before entering an MPA program. An urban planning class sparked her interest, allowing her to connect her anthropology background with historic preservation and cultural resources, which she now specializes in. She maintains membership in the American Planning Association's South Carolina chapter. Drennan credits her grandparents for encouraging her to follow her interests rather than societal expectations, which created a spiral effect leading to her degrees and her specific professional niche.
Her Interview
Ten minutes with Kelli
01What do you attribute your success to?
My grandparents have always taught me to always be myself. When I graduated high school, I went into degrees that I was interested in rather than what family or society might expect, like getting two undergraduate degrees in Spanish and anthropology. This created a spiral effect of gaining other degrees and finding my specific niche in what I really love to do.
02What’s the best career advice you’ve ever received?
If you do what you love, you don't work a day in your life.
03What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
If going into internships, get a journal and write about what you're learning every day. Really dive deep and see how it's making you feel, what is going to make you a stronger version of yourself, and keep your future self in mind. Don't settle on any specific specialty that's not interesting to you just because you think that's what you should do.
04What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?
Challenges include AI development that will cost taxpayers money, with uncertainty about effects on tax dollars or the environment. Opportunities center on climate resilience and smart growth, including downtown walkability and placemaking to create community with different vibes or themes in neighborhoods.
05What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
For work: Connectedness to pull in political and residential sides, respect for the community, and being a strategic developer in urban planning by thinking of questions others may not to better the community. For personal life: Happiness, love, and community, with friends and family being the most important.
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