Kelly O'Connor-Austin
Kelly O’Connor-Austin is the Founder of What Next Wellness, a nonprofit dedicated to supporting women through cancer, and the Co-Founder of Elevated Assistants, LLC, a consulting and coaching venture empowering executive assistants to become strategic business partners. Drawing on her personal journey as a breast cancer survivor, Kelly guides patients through a transformative three-step approach—liberating the mind, making peace with a diagnosis, and activating a fully engaged life—while fostering resilience, confidence, and community. Her work has been featured in San Diego Health Magazine and People.com, highlighting her innovative approach to wellness and advocacy.
Before founding her organizations, Kelly enjoyed a distinguished corporate career, holding executive assistant and leadership roles at companies including LegalZoom and Intuit. She served as Head of the Executive Office at LegalZoom during its IPO and provided strategic support to senior executives at Intuit, developing expertise in executive partnership, organizational culture, and leadership. Kelly’s experience navigating high-pressure corporate environments has shaped her approach to mentorship, team building, and professional development, blending strategic acumen with emotional intelligence.
Kelly’s career is defined by her commitment to transformation, whether guiding cancer patients toward hope and empowerment or helping executive assistants step confidently into leadership roles. She combines personal insight, professional expertise, and a deep passion for community, inspiring individuals to embrace their experiences, overcome challenges, and find purpose in unexpected “lanes” of life.
• Junior College- Pierce College
• Letter of Recommendation from Dan Wernikoff
• Letter of Recommendation from Jeff Stiefler
• Letter of Recommendation from Sasan Goodarzi
What do you attribute your success to?
I attribute my success to a strong sense of determination and perseverance. I stay focused on my goals, tackle challenges head-on, and remain committed to seeing projects through to completion, no matter the obstacles.
My personal adds:
I attribute my success to confidence, curiosity, and my passion surrounding hardships into something that has the ability to build up others. My dedication to learning, grit, and growth fuels my appetite to learn and make this world better.
What’s the best career advice you’ve ever received?
The best career advice I’ve ever received is to leave my hometown at least once. Experiencing life and work outside of familiar surroundings is where your true character is tested and developed.
What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
I would tell young women entering this industry to never lose sight of who they are. If you ever feel your confidence waver, take a moment to intentionally reset—my favorite exercise is to stand in front of a mirror for two minutes, hands on hips like Wonder Woman, and offer yourself genuine compliments. It’s a small pause that can make a big difference because it reminds you of your strength and resilience. I also encourage stepping outside your comfort zone, including moving geographically at least once. Experiencing new environments challenges you, builds character, and fosters professional growth in ways staying in familiar surroundings cannot.
My personal adds - Share your experience, your highlights, and your fears as this gives the next woman permission to breathe.
What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?
One of the biggest opportunities is for Elevated Assistants, LLC - in my field right now is the potential for growth and the ability to build meaningful initiatives from the ground up. At the same time, securing adequate funding remains a significant challenge, requiring creativity, persistence, and strategic planning to overcome.
What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
In my work, I value creating meaningful connections—my greatest reward is knowing that after a conversation with me, people feel a sense of community and have gained something new. At home, I prioritize harmony and quality time with my family, cherishing life with my wife and two children.
My personal adds - Whether a woman is navigating illness or navigating the boardroom, the work is the same - helping her "remember who she is". Doing so gives me the greatest honor of my life.
My work between What Next Wellness and Elevated Assistants, LLC - on the surface these might look different, but they're both about transformation. One helps women survive a health crisis. The other helps women rise in their professional lives. Both journeys I've personally lived and I feel it my duty to help other women do the same.
Locations
San Diego, CA 92127