Kelly Spain

I attribute my success primarily to my parents, who have been my greatest role models. My father, a retired pastor with a lifelong commitment to service, and my mother, who has consistently supported his work while also serving others in her own right, both instilled in me a strong sense of purpose and compassion. Growing up surrounded by their example and the values they lived out daily shaped my own commitment to service and has been foundational to my personal and professional growth.

The best career advice I’ve ever received was to pursue what I am truly passionate about, not necessarily what I studied, because the two are not always the same. That advice became especially meaningful in my own life, as I spent time trying to identify my purpose while always prioritizing my family. When my husband was diagnosed with Parkinson’s and I had to step into a greater caregiving role for our three young children, I learned the importance of aligning my work with something I genuinely cared about so I could manage both responsibilities effectively. For me, that passion was education, and finding that alignment between purpose, passion, and family has guided my career ever since.

My advice to young women entering my industry is to stay grounded in who you are and bring your full self to the table. As women, we often face additional challenges and pressures, but no one can take away your identity, your voice, or your value—so lean into them. Build a strong support system of like-minded people who will encourage and challenge you, and make sure you are always in environments where you are learning and growing. If you are the most experienced or most knowledgeable person in the room, it may be time to find a new room. Surround yourself with a tribe that pushes you beyond what you think you are capable of, because growth comes from being challenged and supported at the same time.

One of the biggest challenges in education is that the system has not kept pace with today’s world and continues to rely on outdated approaches that don’t reflect how modern, technology-driven students learn. At the same time, this presents a major opportunity to modernize education by integrating technology more effectively, updating instructional methods, and aligning learning with current workforce demands so students are better prepared for the future.

The most important values to me in both my work and personal life are family and integrity. I am deeply committed to ensuring that everything I do is grounded in honesty, responsibility, and purpose. In my professional work within AI ethics and the responsible use of artificial intelligence, I developed the CARE framework to guide how I teach and apply AI: Clarity, Accessibility, Relevance and Responsibility, and Equity and Empowerment. These principles reflect my belief that AI must be clearly understood, thoughtfully applied, and used in ways that are ethical and inclusive, especially in education where its impact can be most transformative.