Kelly Nicole Conrad
Kelly Conrad is a seasoned public relations and communications professional and the Community Outreach and Development Director at Farm to Pantry, a Sonoma County–based nonprofit dedicated to food rescue and food justice. In her current role, Kelly leads community outreach, donor cultivation, grant writing, events and crafts the organization’s voice and image. Guided by values of honesty, authenticity and hard work, she is deeply committed to ensuring that fresh, locally-grown food reaches people in need while reducing food waste across the region. Kelly brings more than two decades of communications and marketing experience to her nonprofit work. She began her career in public relations and marketing within the wine industry, holding leadership roles at E. & J. Gallo Winery and Sebastiani Vineyards, and later founding Conrad Public Relations. Following a life-changing health diagnosis of incurable brain cancer, Kelly transitioned into mission-driven work, where her strategic communications expertise proved transformative. During the COVID-19 pandemic, she helped lead Farm to Pantry through a period of rapid growth, enabling the organization to deliver one million servings of food in a single year—a milestone that had previously taken a decade to achieve. A graduate of the University of Puget Sound, Kelly holds a Bachelor of Arts in Business and Marketing with a minor in Professional Writing. She has completed professional wine certifications, earned a grant writing certificate, and pursued nonprofit leadership training. In recognition of her impact and leadership, she was named Healdsburg’s Local Business Person of the Year in 2024. Outside of work, Kelly is an avid runner who completes half marathons annually and ran her first full marathon in 2022. She is a former tap and jazz dancer of 15 years, has been married for 25 years and is a proud mom to her daughter Kathryn and son Cooper, Jr.
• Grant Writing - Spring 2024
• Certificate of Completion in Communicating Up, Down and Across the Organization
• University of Puget Sound - B.A.
• Local Business Person of the Year (Healdsburg), 2024
What do you attribute your success to?
I attribute my success to authenticity and my ability to connect with people on a genuine, human level. I remain open to learning, continuously seeking growth through new perspectives, experiences, and collaboration.
What’s the best career advice you’ve ever received?
The best career advice I’ve ever received is not to be a know-it-all—there is always something new to learn, and staying open to learning is essential for continued growth and development.
What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
I would encourage young women entering my industry not to feel overwhelmed. Even the biggest projects or challenges can be managed by taking them one nugget at a time. I also believe strongly in staying curious and avoiding a know-it-all mindset—there is always more to learn, and that openness is key to growth, resilience, and long-term success.
What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?
One of the biggest challenges in my field is securing the funding needed to sustain and expand the work. At the same time, there is a significant opportunity in keeping volunteers engaged and motivated, as their continued involvement not only advances the mission but also empowers them to do meaningful, impactful work.
What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
The values most important to me in both my work and personal life are honesty and authenticity, along with a strong commitment to hard work—doing what I say I’m going to do and following through with integrity.