Her Story
About Kelli
Kelli Hutcheson began her professional journey in 1989 as a teacher and coach, which laid the foundation for her extensive career in athletic administration and private consulting. She holds a degree from Georgia Southern University with an education major and has served in leadership capacities including as past president of the Georgia Athletic Directors Association and on the conference advisory committee and state faculty for the National Interscholastic Athletic Administrators Association. In addition to her professional roles, Hutcheson serves as Executive Director for the Positive Athlete Foundation and volunteers on the alumni board of directors and athletic foundation at Georgia Southern University. She emphasizes the importance of bringing value through collaboration and innovation in a male-dominated field and defines success through personal measures while remaining consistently true to oneself.
Her Interview
Ten minutes with Kelli
01What do you attribute your success to?
I attribute my success to being willing to listen and learn from others that know more than you. When I see someone doing something better than me, I want to get to know that person and learn everything I can from them rather than competing against them. I have a hunger for always having conversations where I'm going to pull a nugget and take something away that's going to make me better.
02What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
Every flower blooms differently and at a different rate. Don't let anyone else determine your timeline for success. You have to know who you are and stay true to you. Understand there are differences in people and respect those differences. You're not competing with everyone. Stay true to your own measure of success, and if that success comes on your timeline, it's a success nonetheless. I didn't begin my leadership career wholly until year 20 in my career, and by my definition until year 27.
03What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?
The field is male-dominated with women minimally represented. The key is to bring value to the room yourself - be interesting, interested, collaborative, and innovative. Make things better than you found them. Men I've worked with have been encouraging and uplifting. Women should unite and stop tearing one another down.
04What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
The most important thing is to be consistently true to oneself. Know who you are and be you. My word is everything - if I say it, I mean it, and if I say it, I'm gonna do it. I want people to know that I'm consistent and a person at my word. Success is defined personally.
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