Kelly Wilder

About Kelly Wilder

After more than a decade in academia (teaching marketing and strategy to both undergraduate and MBA students, studying brand advocacy, and mentoring emerging leaders), I’m now building what I couldn’t find in traditional systems: Human-first strategy for brands that want to connect, not just convert. I earned my PhD in Marketing researching how - and more specifically why - people advocate for the brands they love. Now, I use those insights to help businesses, creators, and founders build trust, deepen engagement, and design experiences people want to champion. My recent work includes: Founding YouBrik, a self-actualization brand and behavior-based tool for intentional living and creative confidence Coaching creators and startups on brand identity, customer psychology, and strategic growth Creating content and workshops around emotional resonance, behavior-driven marketing, and the future of trust in the age of AI What ties all of it together? I’m obsessed with the “why” behind consumer decisions. And I believe strategy should be both rigorous and radically human. Let’s build something true. — Open to: Consulting | Strategic Partnerships | Workshops | Full-Time Roles in Strategy, Brand, Innovation, or Customer Experience

Experience

1. Assistant Professor

   Meredith College

   Aug 2013 — Present · Raleigh-Durham, NC, US

   Assistant Professor of MarketingMeredith College, Raleigh, NCAugust 2013 – July 2025Designed and taught 10+ unique undergraduate and MBA courses in marketing strategy, consumer behavior, advertising, and brand communicationCreated dynamic, real-world learning environments that emphasized customer psychology, brand identity, storytelling, and digital innovationLed and advised student teams on marketing practicums and client-facing projects, bridging classroom theory with real-world executionServed as faculty lead for four international study abroad programs, bringing business students to Peru (2x), Italy, and Austria; integrating global business education with immersive cultural learningAdvised student organizations, led departmental curriculum efforts, and contributed actively to cross-functional academic planning and innovationWrapping up this chapter in July 2025 to focus full-time on strategic consulting, thought leadership, and growing YouBrik into a movement.

Education

• Auburn University

  Bachelor of Business Administration (B.B.A.)

  1998 — 2002

• Florida State University - College of Business

  MBA

  2006 — 2008

• Mississippi State University - College of Business and Industry

  PhD

  2008 — 2015