Sean Kelley is a passionate and inspirational leader, start-up advisor, and board member who uses an inclusive mindset and direct approach to effect global change. Over his 30-year career, Sean has global led teams at all levels of organizations in operations, supply chain management, inclusion & diversity, and talent acquisition. He has been an advocate for diversity and inclusion his entire career, leaving a legacy of compassion, collaboration, inclusive leadership, team spirit and operational excellence everywhere he has worked. His corporate career culminated in 2020, after scaling the global talent acquisition team for Amazon's Worldwide Operations, a team of 1,000 recruiting professionals based in 15 countries. Sean began his career serving as a U.S. Navy Supply Corps officer specializing in submarine logistics, completing two deployments aboard USS Pogy (SSN - 647). Prior to joining Amazon, Sean contributed to the success of Starbucks Coffee Company and Microsoft Corporation, in critical roles during pivotal stages of growth and transformation.
Sean holds a B.S. Economics from the U.S. Naval Academy and a M.S. Global Leadership from the University of San Diego. He serves on the National Board of Trustees for the Crohn's and Colitis Foundation, serves as an Executive in Residence at Duke University, The Fuqua School of Business, focused on the Veteran Transitions Research Initiative, and contributes to local entities which serve families experiencing homelessness, joblessness and general distress. Sean makes his home on Whidbey Island, in the beautiful Town of Coupeville, in the heart of the Ebey's Landing National Historical Reserve. He enjoys embracing the bounty of the island via backyard farming, hiking and walking miles of pristine beaches, getting out on the water as a kayaker and stand-up paddle-boarder and learning to fish for salmon and crab. Sean and his wife, Leslie, have been married over 30 years, and are the proud parents to Connor and Natalie, plus to four chickens and one tiny dog named Kermit.
Inspiring audiences through passionate storytelling based upon my experiences of personal growth while leading global teams and programs.
I would characterize my style as casual, transparent, energizing and spirited. I love “leadership unplugged” where the scripts are few and the stories flow, particularly with smaller audiences seeking to build communities of leaders. My primary past focus has been on presenting on servant leadership and building inspired teams, building inclusive talent systems and scaling military programs. Please reach out directly to me to discuss your ideas and see if might provide a spark of inspiration for your company or team.