Global Courage, Inclusion, and Leadership Built Through Bold Choices

Kelly Kuhn’s extraordinary 35-year journey, from a privately held Chicago travel company to C-suite global leadership, reveals a career shaped by courage, intuition, allyship, and a deep commitment to inclusion. She reflects on pivotal international moves across Washington, Singapore, and London, each one a leap she initially doubted but ultimately embraced because trusted mentors saw potential she had not yet recognized. Her philosophy of becoming “comfortable being uncomfortable” guided her through military and government travel, complex integrations, and leading customer organizations through global transformation. 

Kelly shares powerful lessons about listening, honoring cultural differences, and empowering teams to thrive without needing all the answers. She speaks candidly about adversity, resilience, career sacrifice, and the importance of mapping a life plan that includes joy, family, and purpose. Her global roles strengthened her belief in intentional inclusion, ensuring every voice, introvert or extrovert, local or global, is heard.

Her reflections remind emerging leaders that growth comes from risk-taking, mentorship, and embracing opportunities that stretch capability and confidence.

Notable Quotes/Highlights

• "Be really comfortable being uncomfortable."
• "Anything is possible if you can imagine it."
• "You don’t need to know all of the answers."
• "Their success is my legacy."
• "The turtle only makes progress when it sticks its neck out."

Closing Reflection

Kelly Kuhn’s journey inspires professionals to take bold risks, invest in others, and lead with humility and inclusion. Her message is clear: when you trust your instincts, embrace discomfort, and lift others as you rise, extraordinary careers, and meaningful impact, follow.