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 27 hard-to-fill clinical positions in just three 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 it has taken to get to where I am now, because I am most excited about the role that I'm in. I started out straight out of college in high-end fashion, going to fashion shows and taking trips to Milan, but it felt very empty. Then I found myself working as a personal trainer after getting my certification, and I began helping others regain their body strength, working with the special needs population and people with genetic conditions. That led me back to corporate, and after some time in cybersecurity and other fields, I found myself as a recruiter at Crossroads Continuum. I've found my calling helping out the autism community of all ages. Being in a mission-driven place and field is the absolute best job I've ever had, and I'm very proud of the work I've been able to accomplish here because every person I hire directly relates to a child getting services and getting off the waitlist.
What’s the best career advice you’ve ever received?
The best career advice I’ve ever received is that you can build a career you love, inspire and help others, and still achieve professional success.
What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
My advice to young women entering this industry is to bring compassion and a genuine heart to your work, protect your mental health by taking breaks, and build confidence by documenting your accomplishments. Pursue practical education and certifications when changing roles and remember that you can have a career full of joy and purpose if you stay the course and keep your heart open.
What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?
The biggest challenge in my field right now is meeting the high demand for ABA and autism services and reducing the waitlist for children and adults who need support. Every successful hire directly translates to more individuals receiving the care they need, and I’m proud that my recent efforts—making 27 hires in the past three months—have helped more families access these essential services.
What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
Being able to work hard in a field that I find joy in is most important to me. I love helping recruit employees to join the team so a child can get off the waiting list and receive help and services through ABA and therapy. Working at a mission-driven company that makes this world a better place means everything to me. The passion for the mission is what gets you through the hard times. Outside of work, I spend time line dancing with my best friend, working out, spending time with my dog, and cooking. I was even a part-time private chef for the guy I did recruiting for at the accounting firm, but I just left that job because I'm so busy at Crossroads. I love trying all kinds of classes with my friend, like pole fitness classes. Being in a mission-driven place and field is the absolute best job I've ever had.