Her Story
About Kellie
Kellie Houser-Stessman has built a career in retail and non-profit leadership spanning more than three decades, beginning as a part-time retail employee in 1985 and rising steadily through sporting goods and discount retail before spending six years at Casey's General Stores. As a Director there, she led one of the company's highest-volume regions, overseeing $900 million-plus in annual revenue, eight district managers, and up to 100 stores, while personally integrating ten acquisitions, five new store openings, and seventeen remodels. Over the course of her career she has held full P&L responsibility for more than $4 billion in annual revenue, managed operations across roughly 900 stores in 49 states and international markets, and guided organizations through growth, technology modernization, and structural turnaround.
Beyond Casey's, her retail experience spans Walmart, Acosta, and Dollar Tree Stores, where she ran a high-volume Walmart location generating $128 million in annual sales, represented national brands including Microsoft, Sony, Procter & Gamble, and Hostess in field merchandising roles, and directed a six-state region for Dollar Tree. Across each of these positions, she has been recognized for rolling out enterprise systems such as POS and SAP platforms, redesigning field management structures, and developing leadership pipelines that lower turnover and strengthen store-level performance. Having lived in 29 states throughout her career, she brings a versatile, multi-format perspective that spans convenience stores, big-box retail, discount retail, grocery, and sporting goods.
Most recently, Houser-Stessman transitioned into the non-profit sector as Chief Operating Officer of Central Furniture Rescue in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, an organization that provides essential household furnishings — beds, kitchen supplies, shower essentials, and living room furniture sourced from community donations — to individuals and families rebuilding their lives after crises such as aging out of foster care, house fires, or mental health struggles. She describes her approach as servant leadership, rooted in developing talent and learning something new every day, and hopes to help expand the organization's reach across Iowa and beyond. Reflecting on her own upbringing with limited resources, she credits a lifelong desire to give back as the driving force behind her work, and takes particular pride in having mentored numerous professionals who have gone on to become CEOs across the United States.
Her Interview
Ten minutes with Kellie
01What do you attribute your success to?
I attribute my success to resilience, continuous learning, authenticity, and a willingness to see challenges as opportunities for growth. I don't believe success is something achieved alone — it's built through genuine relationships, collaboration, and the support of mentors, colleagues, family, and friends along the way. Growing up without a lot of material things, and relying on community support to get by, instilled in me a deep drive to never go back to that place, and that drive fueled me early in my career. Today, that same energy has evolved into a passion for giving back and helping the people around me recognize their own potential — when I see that happen, it gives me an unstoppable sense of purpose. I've stayed grounded by holding onto my values, working hard, and staying open to new ideas and perspectives, and every experience along the way has shaped the leader I am today.
02What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
My advice is to believe in your abilities, trust your instincts, and not wait until you feel completely ready before pursuing new opportunities — real growth happens outside your comfort zone. Some of the most rewarding experiences come from taking calculated risks, staying curious, and seeking out mentors who will challenge and push you further. Don't let setbacks hold you back; they're often what build resilience, confidence, and wisdom over time. Stay authentic, stay adaptable, and never underestimate the value of strong relationships and lifting up the people around you. Above all, define success on your own terms, not by someone else's expectations.
03What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?
I see the greatest opportunities today in embracing innovation, adapting to change, and continually building new skills, as technology and digital transformation reshape possibilities across every industry and make lifelong learning more essential than ever. There is also enormous opportunity in building strong professional networks, sharing expertise, mentoring the next generation of leaders, and collaborating across diverse backgrounds and experiences. As organizations place greater value on inclusive leadership and diverse perspectives, new pathways are opening for women to lead, influence decisions, and drive meaningful change. By staying open to new ideas, investing in personal growth, and helping others along the way, I believe we can all expand our influence and impact.
04What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
The values that matter most to me are integrity, authenticity, empathy, professionalism, collaboration, and empowering others. I believe trust is built through honesty, consistency, and accountability, and those principles shape every decision I make, at work and at home. I try to treat people with respect, listen with empathy, and create environments where others feel valued and supported. Giving back — through mentoring, sharing knowledge, and helping people see their own potential — is deeply important to me, because I believe success means the most when it creates opportunities for others to grow and succeed too.
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