Kelly Devlin, ETA, CPP

I was fortunate to grow up with parents who grounded me in strong values. My mom and dad both modeled resilience, optimism, and a belief in doing the right thing, and those lessons shaped how I move through the world. Playing sports reinforced that mindset — the discipline, the drive to keep going, and the understanding that progress comes from showing up again and again.

That foundation is a big part of why I genuinely love my work today. I’m in what I consider my dream job, surrounded by people I respect and enjoy, and supported by a mix of things in my life that keep me centered and grounded.

My parents always talked about perspective — you can look at the glass as half empty or half full — and that mindset has stayed with me. One of my mom’s favorite reminders was that life is a journey, not just a destination. That idea has helped me appreciate where I am, not just focus on where I’m going next. It’s important to have goals and a vision for the future, but it’s just as important to enjoy the moment you’re in.

My mom, especially, was a North Star for me. I’ve had so many positive influences throughout my life, and I’ve always been able to see and appreciate the good around me. I’m grateful for the network I have, the friends and colleagues who support me, and the many positive things in my life that help me stay grounded and focused on what matters.

The best career advice I ever received came from my mom: enjoy where you are while you build what’s next. She always reminded me that life is a journey, not just a destination, and that perspective has grounded me throughout my career. It taught me to appreciate the role I’m in, the people I work with, and the growth happening in real time — even while I’m planning for the future. That mindset has helped me stay centered, grateful, and fully present in the work I love, including the role I’m in today.

Women add depth, empathy, and a human element to this industry, and that matters. My first piece of advice is to build and maintain your network — and I don’t say that lightly. Every person you know is part of your network, and staying connected is essential. Nearly every job I’ve had came through relationships I nurtured over time. Use communities like Influential Women, stay active on LinkedIn, have coffee conversations, and check in with people regularly. You don’t need to force mentorship or hunt for a single “influential” person. When you cultivate a strong network, those relationships and opportunities develop naturally.

My second piece of advice is simple: don’t be afraid to speak up. In male‑dominated rooms, it’s easy to quiet your own voice or overthink your contributions. But if you hold back, people never get to hear your ideas — and your ideas matter. Find your way of speaking with clarity and confidence, and trust that your perspective brings value.

And finally, apply for roles even if you don’t meet every single requirement. I recently talked with someone who hesitated because they didn’t check every box. I asked them, “If you were a man, would you apply?” They laughed and said, “Yeah… I probably would.” Exactly. The worst‑case scenario is you gain interview experience or someone says no — but turning yourself down before you even try is the real loss. Go for it.

The values that guide me in both my work and my personal life are the ones I grew up with — loyalty, honesty, integrity, respect, and hard work. Those are non‑negotiables for me. I believe in showing up for people, doing what I say I’m going to do, and treating everyone with the same level of respect and kindness I expect in return. Hard work was a constant in my family, and playing sports reinforced that discipline and drive to keep going. I also value optimism and perspective; my parents taught me early on to look for the good, to stay grounded, and to appreciate the moment I’m in. Those lessons have shaped how I lead and how I build relationships. Whether I’m supporting my team, partnering across the business, or navigating life outside of work, I try to bring consistency, clarity, and genuine care to everything I do.