Kelly is a regulatory policy expert with over 15 years experience working in public service. Kelly holds a Master of Human Nutrition from Deakin University and a Bachelor of Agriculture from the University of Adelaide. Currently, in addition to her consulting business, Kelly works as a Sessional Academic at Deakin University. Kelly also ran as a candidate in the 2024 Victorian Local Government election and was successfully elected as Councillor in Nillumbik Shire.

Kelly previously held an executive role at the Victorian Department of Health, where she led the food and nutrition regulatory policy group. In this role, Kelly also represented the State of Victoria on the bi-national Food Regulation Standing Committee and provided policy advice to Food Ministers on the Australia New Zealand Food Standards Code (FSANZ).

Kelly is a Registered Nutritionist, as recognised by the Nutrition Society of Australia, and is a professional member of the Australian Institute of Food Science and Technology. Kelly also serves as a Non-Executive Director on boards and is a member of the Australian Institute of Company Directors.

Kelly lives in Melbourne with her husband and three dogs (Teddy, Maisy and Spice). In her spare time, Kelly enjoys dressmaking (usually canine apparel) and tending her rose and vegetable gardens.