Kelly O'Connor, CSA

Kelly O’Connor is a nationally recognized leader in the longevity and senior care industry, with more than 15 years of experience dedicated to helping older adults and their families navigate aging with dignity, purpose, and compassion. Based in Denver, Colorado, she currently serves as Vice President of Strategic Partnerships and Growth for the Society of Certified Senior Advisors, where she leads organizational growth initiatives, strategic alliances, and partnership development for one of the nation’s leading organizations focused on aging professionals. She also serves as editor of the award-winning CSA Journal, overseeing content and thought leadership for professionals working across the longevity sector. Kelly’s career reflects a deep commitment to improving the experience of aging while supporting education, collaboration, and innovation throughout the industry. Kelly’s journey into senior care was shaped by both personal experience and professional evolution. After helping build a successful fashion brand earlier in her career, she felt called toward more purpose-driven work after spending much of her twenties caring for aging and ill family members. She began her senior care career as a trained hospice volunteer before working across nearly every aspect of the aging services industry, including independent living, assisted living, memory care, skilled nursing, and home care. She later founded and grew a successful senior living placement agency that supported hundreds of families before selling the business in 2020. Her expertise today centers on longevity, caregiving, leadership, partnership strategy, and aging advocacy. In 2021, she delivered a TEDx talk focused on longevity and living a long, healthy, and engaged life, further establishing her voice as a thought leader in the field. In addition to her professional accomplishments, Kelly is a passionate advocate for lifelong learning, emotional wellbeing, and meaningful aging. She holds a Bachelor of Arts in Social Sciences from Florida State University, a Master of Arts in Spiritual Psychology from University of Santa Monica, and a Professional Advancement Certificate in Gerontology from University of Colorado Colorado Springs. She is also a Certified Senior Advisor and an active member of the American Society on Aging. Outside of work, Kelly describes herself first and foremost as a devoted dog mom who enjoys day hiking, movies, travel, wellness, and the occasional spa day. Her work and personal philosophy are rooted in helping people live longer, healthier, and more connected lives while redefining what it means to age well.