Kelly Edwards Kent

About Kelly Edwards Kent

Executive leader with experience in Fortune 50 companies leading Transformation, Human Resources, Technology, Audit, Quality and Operations functions. Senior HR Executive responsible for supporting C-suite executives and leading core HR functions including HR technology and operations, talent acquisition, employee and labor relations. Senior leadership experience across various industries (transportation, financial services and retail) with a consistent focus on operational excellence, achieving business outcomes and demonstration of sustainability through effective business controls management. Leverages a collaborative and inclusive risk management approach to effectively drive process and portfolio execution, while maintaining executive sponsorship. Proven track record of developing and leading complex, enterprise-wide, cross-functional transformation programs, including technology, business and people process changes in highly matrixed and heavily regulated organizations.

Experience

1. Independent Consultant

   Scout & Cellar

   Feb 2018 — Present

   Wine as Nature Intended.Wine is a tricky business, because when it comes to their growth cycle, grapes tend to march to the beat of their own drum. Their natural flavor, colors and lifespan almost always vary across vines, which makes capturing and establishing sameness exhaustive and difficult. The advent of pesticides, chemical additives and sugars provided a way for producers to get around the natural unpredictability and promote wine that tastes the same, bottle after bottle, year after year. This also made it possible to hide flaws that may exist in those bottles, like bacteria and other unpleasant elements. Unfortunately, wineries rely on pesticides, additives and added sweeteners, which means chemically altered, completely unnatural wine is now the norm. We’re here to offer a cleaner, healthier, altogether better wine experience to everyone.

Education

• Western Carolina University

  B.S. Ed., Early Childhood Education

  1980 — 1984

Skills

• Team Leadership
• Budgets
• Employee Engagement
• Fundraising
• Strategy
• Leadership
• Public Speaking
• Business Development
• Social Media
• Strategic Planning
• Risk Management
• Leadership Development
• Change Management
• Business Process Improvement
• Project Management
• Recruiting
• Management
• Team Building
• Customer Service
• Public Relations
• Program Management
• Process Improvement
• Coaching