ABOUT KELLEY

Kelley Cornish is living her best life as a public speaker, top executive, and author!

In addition to taking the stage to teach, encourage, and share her knowledge of over 35 years in the workplace and in leadership, Kelley serves as the President and CEO of the TD Jakes Foundation (TDJF), a workforce development and community building foundation committed to improving the lifelong outcomes for communities and individuals who have limited access to resources and opportunities. TDJF has three strategic pillars: financial inclusion, educational access and workforce readiness, and community transformation and well-being.

Prior to this role, she served as a senior executive and the Executive Vice President, Chief Administrative Officer for Diverse Segments, Representation, and Inclusion (DSRI) at Wells Fargo & Company where she was the primary liaison between DSRI and its various business lines and support partners. Her work included leading planning, implementing strategy and driving accountabilities for all internal functions supporting DEI efforts across the enterprise. Kelley also served as the Global Head of Diversity and Inclusion for the TD Bank Group and led Diversity and Inclusion for AmeriHealth Caritas and the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia.

Accomplished in her career, in 2023, Kelley was recognized as a Women of Influence by SUCCESS Magazine for her remarkable achievements, innovation, and impact in the communities and industries in which she serves as well as in the personal and professional lives of others. In 2022, she received the Woman of the Year Award from iHeartMedia radio because of her work in the community and in corporate America. Her leadership gifts and talents have also been recognized as one of the Most Influential Women in Corporate America by Savoy Magazine, by the Network Journal as one of the Top 25 Influential Black Women in Business, and she was a recipient of the Sojourner Truth Award by the National Congress of Black Women. Kelley was acknowledged for her commitment to diversity and inclusion throughout her career by receiving the Career Mastered Award and has been recognized as a member of the top team of distinction for the American Banker’s Most Powerful Women in Banking Award, and as a Diversity, Inclusion and Equity Award winner by Peirce College for the City of Philadelphia.

True to sharing her life's experiences, Kelley speaks around the country on numerous platforms about her career climb, her leadership journey, and legacy and generational wealth in the black community. In addition to her servant leadership in the workplace, Kelley serves on the Board of Directors for Broadway Dallas, Board of Trustees for Wiley University, the Dallas Regional Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors, and as a People and Leadership committee member for the BAYADA Healthcare Board of Directors.

Kelley obtained her Bachelor of Science degree from the University of South Carolina - Aiken in Business Administration and her Masters from Webster University in Human Resource Management. She is a Certified Diversity Professional by Cornell University (CCDP) and has completed course work at the Harvard Kennedy School in strategies for leading and building diverse organizations.

Kelley enjoys spending time with family, friends, and exploring new ways to live her best life!