Rashanda Mack-Kelly
Rashanda Mack-Kelly is a two-time breast cancer survivor, health advocate, and motivational speaker based in Greater Orlando. For more than 13 years, she has dedicated her life to transforming her personal cancer journey into a mission of empowerment, awareness, and survivor support. As a Southeast Region Product Lead and Voice of Hope Speaker with the American Cancer Society, she uses her platform to address health disparities, inspire early detection, and encourage women—especially women of color—to advocate for their health and voices within the healthcare system.
Professionally, she is a dynamic leader, entrepreneur, and community builder. She serves as President of EmpowerHer ABWA, where she supports women’s professional growth and leadership development. She is also a co-author of I’m Still Standing: Stories of Survival and the founder of a Making Strides Against Breast Cancer walk initiative in her community. In addition, she is a footwear designer and creator of The Pink Bottom Company, a brand symbolizing resilience, strength, and healing for women navigating adversity.
Rashanda’s work is rooted in advocacy, authenticity, and empowerment. She is widely recognized for turning her lived experience into impact through public speaking, media features, and survivor-centered initiatives. Having also overcome cancer-related workplace discrimination, she has become a strong voice for equity and self-advocacy in both healthcare and employment spaces. Today, she continues to expand her mission by building supportive communities for survivors, advancing awareness campaigns, and helping women transform pain into purpose while creating lives defined by courage and hope.
• Formidable Leadership Credential for Managing People
• Ultimate Medical Academy - AS
• Lifetime Achievement Award
• School of Business Award for Managing People (November 2023)
• Empower Her ABWA (American Business Women Association) |
• American Cancer Society Voice of Hope Speaker
• Founded Making Strides Against Breast Cancer Walk in South Carolina
• Pink Bottom Shoes Initiative for Cancer Survivors
What do you attribute your success to?
I attribute my success to faith, resilience, perseverance, and a refusal to let adversity define my future. My personal experience with cancer has helped shape my purpose and strengthened my commitment to supporting other women as they find strength and hope during difficult times.
What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
I would encourage young women entering my field to never allow setbacks, illness, or adversity to define their future. I believe every challenge can become a source of strength, and I encourage women to share their stories, advocate for themselves, and use their experiences to inspire and support others along the way.
What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?
The biggest challenges in my field include health disparities and systemic barriers that continue to affect women’s access to quality care and essential resources. Additionally, workplace discrimination remains a significant concern, highlighting the need for stronger protections, advocacy, and more equitable systems that ensure women are supported and valued in both healthcare and professional environments.
What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
In my work and personal life, I value faith, courage, resilience, service, empowerment, authenticity, and compassion. I strongly believe in helping women find their voice, advocate for themselves, and recognize their inner strength, even during life’s most difficult challenges.
My personal passions include cancer awareness, survivorship advocacy, women’s empowerment, public speaking, mentoring, and creating safe spaces where women can openly share their experiences. Helping others transform pain into purpose is one of my greatest commitments.
Locations
American Cancer Society
Lake Mary, FL 32746