Jim Kelly founded Real Leaders Lead in 2006 after a successful career as an entrepreneur and corporate CEO. Throughout his career, he mentored fellow executives, young colleagues and friends and he realized that his greatest work satisfaction came from helping others find success. Jim specializes in one-on-one coaching of executives and business leaders, working with them to identify and build upon their core strengths to create confident and passionate Real Leaders.
His background and training as well as his interpersonal skills uniquely equip him to be successful at coaching and developing leaders.
A real leader for more than 35 years
- CEO of a $130 million distribution service company
- Started Pickwick Discount Books, a retail chain he grew to 40 locations
- Successfully lobbied in the U.S. Senate
- Held positions as VP Sales and VP Marketing
- Started a national sales force for a small, family-run business
A trained coach with university teaching experience
- M.S. Human Development, Purdue University
- Human Development Instructor, University of Wisconsin
- Certified Emotional Intelligence Coach, EQ At Work
- Energy Leadership Index – Master Practitioner, Institute for Professional Excellence in Coaching
- Certified Professional Coach, Institute for Professional Excellence in Coaching
- Associate Certified Coach, International Coach Federation
Fit body, fit mind
- Completed his 60th marathon in May 2012
- Has completed more than a dozen ultra marathons
- Completed the Umstead 100 Mile Endurance Run in 2009
