Kelly Bolen
Kelly Bolen is a seasoned talent acquisition specialist with a passion for building mission-driven teams that make a tangible difference in the lives of others. Currently, she serves as a full-time Talent Acquisition Specialist at Crossroads Continuum, a nonprofit organization providing ABA and autism services to individuals across the lifespan. Kelly focuses on recruiting clinical and behavioral health professionals—including ABA teachers, speech-language pathologists, and behavior therapists—ensuring each hire aligns not only with skill requirements but also with the organization’s values of structure, compassion, and long-term impact. Her work directly affects the safety, dignity, and independence of the individuals served, making her role highly strategic and personally meaningful. Before joining Crossroads Continuum, Kelly developed a diverse career path that spans high-end fashion, health, and corporate recruiting. She began her professional journey in retailing after earning a Bachelor of Science from the University of South Carolina, traveling internationally for buying trips and fashion events. Later, she pursued certifications in personal training and medical exercise, working with specialty populations including children, individuals with disabilities, and cancer patients. Following this, she transitioned to corporate recruiting roles in biotech, cybersecurity, medical device, and accounting sectors, refining her expertise in talent sourcing, candidate experience, and structured hiring processes. Kelly’s professional philosophy centers on intentional, transparent recruiting that supports organizational growth and employee development. She has demonstrated exceptional results at Crossroads Continuum, filling 32 hard-to-fill clinical positions in just four months as a contractor before being hired full-time. Beyond her recruiting work, she is active in volunteer initiatives such as Boston Cares and Gay for Good and has experience leading employee resource groups focused on Pride and diversity. Kelly’s career reflects a consistent commitment to aligning her skills with mission-driven organizations where her work can directly improve the lives of others.
• Diversity and Inclusion in Marketing: Inclusive Language for Marketers
• How to Ask Productive Questions
• Managing Stress
• Hiring and Supporting Neurodiversity in the Workplace
• Diversity, Inclusion, and Belonging
• Building Self-Confidence
• Subtle Shifts in Thinking for Tremendous Resilience
• How to Crush Self-Doubt and Build Self-Confidence
• Communicating with Emotional Intelligence
• Confronting Bias: Thriving Across Our Differences
• Communicating with Confidence
• Mind Body Specialist
• Medical Exercise Specialist
• Certified Personal Trainer
• University of South Carolina- B.S.
• American Academy of Personal Training
• Boston Cares
• Gay for Good
• Running Pride ERG (Employee Resource Group)
What do you attribute your success to?
I attribute my success to the entire journey that’s brought me to where I am today, especially because I feel so aligned with the role I’m in now. I began my career right out of college in high-end fashion—attending shows and organizing buying trips to Milan—but despite how exciting it looked on the surface, it felt unfulfilling.
I later became a certified personal trainer, where I found real purpose helping others rebuild strength, including individuals with special needs and genetic conditions. That experience shifted everything for me. After spending some time back in corporate roles, including biotech and cybersecurity, I eventually found my way into recruiting at Crossroads Continuum.Today, I’ve truly found my calling supporting the autism community across all ages. Being part of a mission-driven organization is the most meaningful work I’ve ever done. I’m especially proud knowing that every person I help hire directly impacts a child’s ability to receive services and move off the waitlist.
What’s the best career advice you’ve ever received?
The best career advice I’ve ever received is that you don’t have to choose between doing meaningful work and achieving professional success—you can absolutely have both. You can build a career you genuinely love, one that inspires you every day, while also making a real impact on others. That advice reshaped how I view success. It’s not just about titles or compensation—it’s about purpose, fulfillment, and knowing that the work you do is helping people in a tangible way.
What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
My advice to young women entering this industry is to lead with compassion and authenticity, and to never lose sight of the heart behind the work. Take care of your mental health—step away when you need to and give yourself space to recharge. Build your confidence by keeping track of your accomplishments and recognizing the value you bring. When exploring new paths, invest in practical learning and certifications that support your growth. Most importantly, trust that you can create a career filled with both joy and purpose if you stay committed and keep an open heart.
What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?
The biggest challenge in my field right now is keeping up with the growing demand for ABA and autism services, while working to reduce the waitlist for children and adults who need support. The need is urgent, and behind every open role is a family waiting for care.
That’s why the work feels so meaningful—every successful hire directly translates into more individuals receiving the services they deserve. I’m especially proud that my recent efforts, including making 32 hires over the past four months, have helped expand access and bring meaningful support to more families.
What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
What matters most to me is being able to work hard in a field that truly brings me joy and purpose. I love connecting people to meaningful work—especially knowing that every hire we make helps a child move off the waitlist and gain access to essential ABA services and support. Being part of a mission-driven organization that is actively making the world a better place is incredibly fulfilling, and it’s that sense of purpose that carries you through even the most challenging days.
Outside of work, I prioritize staying active and spending time with the people and things I love. You’ll usually find me crafting or volunteering with my best friend, working out, cooking, or spending time with my dog. I also enjoy trying new experiences—whether that’s a new fitness class, a new craft or something completely different. At one point, I even worked as a part-time private chef, which speaks to how much I enjoy creating and caring for others in different ways.
Overall, I can confidently say that working in a mission-driven field like this is the most meaningful and rewarding work I’ve ever done.