Influential Woman · Autism Advocate, Autism Education, Law Enforcement Autism Training
Nurse Kelly Friesen
Autism Nurse Advocate & Consultant, Friesen Holistic Services LLC
Otsego, MN 55330
Her Story
About Nurse Kelly
Kelly Friesen is a Registered Public Health Nurse with more than three decades of experience across acute care and community settings. She has devoted her career to caring for and advocating alongside individuals and families, guided by both professional expertise and lived experience.
Her path into Autism advocacy began in 2001, when her son was diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder at age three. This personal turning point sparked a lifelong commitment to understanding Autism, challenging outdated norms in disability services, and championing inclusive, needs‑based support. Kelly has completed extensive training in Autism and Neurodiversity, earning her Autism Certification through the Autism Society of Minnesota in 2016 and a Neuroscience Certification in 2025.
In 2022, she founded Friesen Holistic Services LLC to address a critical gap in her community. She pioneered a Nurse Advocate model of Autism support—an innovative approach focused on building life skills, fostering independence, and strengthening community inclusion for Neurodiverse individuals.
Kelly’s advocacy extends to policy and systems change. She served on the Minnesota Waiver Reimagine Advisory Committee (2022–2025) and provided testimony before the Minnesota Senate Human Services Committee, contributing her voice to efforts aimed at improving disability services statewide.
Recognizing the mental health challenges often intertwined with ASD, Kelly has built strong, collaborative relationships with Law Enforcement over the years. In 2024, she began providing Autism training for Law Enforcement, blending her nursing background, public speaking experience, and deep respect for Law Enforcement. In December 2025, she transitioned fully from clinical nursing to focus on her business and her informed‑policing instruction.
Kelly’s work serves as a bridge between the Autism community and Law Enforcement—promoting understanding, improving outcomes, and advancing compassionate, informed responses in moments that matter most.
Her Interview
Ten minutes with Nurse Kelly
01What do you attribute your success to?
Adaptability & Flexibility. I am blessed to have worked as a Registered Nurse for the last 35 years, as it has allowed me to align my passions with my purpose.
02What’s the best career advice you’ve ever received?
When I joined the Speaker’s Academy through MN‑NSA in 2023, I was overwhelmed with imposter syndrome. I questioned how I could ever measure up to the seasoned professional speakers around me and felt buried under the pressure of everything I thought I needed to do to “make it” in the speaking world.
Then Ross Bernstein came to speak to our class. Ross—an international inspirational business speaker and author of more than 50 books—shared the story of his own wildly successful career. I will never forget when he emphasized one simple truth: “You don’t have to do it like everyone else.”
That message cut through my anxiety. It gave me permission to stop comparing myself and to embrace the speaking path that was right for me.
03What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
Stay strong and advocate for your Patients/Clients, no matter how challenging the environment is.
04What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?
We now see 1 in 31 children diagnosed with Autism across the United States. As a parent and a nurse, I know that Autism does not end in adulthood—yet the services available drop off dramatically. This is a pivotal moment for Nurses to step forward and provide the support our Neurodiverse adults urgently need.
05What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
I have to feel good about the work I do. Staying true to my values is something I strive for every day, with the guidance of my Higher Power, whom I call God.
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