Speaker Bio
Kara D. Kelley, SPHR, SHRM-SCP, is a nationally recognized HR advisor, thought leader, speaker, and the CEO of Clinical HR. With more than 13 years of experience as a Fractional HR Business Partner for private practices and emerging dental groups, she blends deep industry knowledge with strategic HR leadership and sharp, memorable storytelling. Her background includes significant work with start-ups and buyer-side acquisitions, giving leaders the clarity to navigate HR compliance, benefits decisions, and culture integration during periods of transition.
Kara transforms complex HR compliance into leadership clarity – showing dental executives how to reduce risk, strengthen culture, and build consistently high-performing teams. Her background in both human resources and the business of dentistry allows her to speak the industry’s language, challenge outdated assumptions, and deliver guidance that leaders can immediately apply. Audiences consistently praise her ability to make high-stakes HR topics relatable and engaging as she guides leaders to make intentional people decisions and prepare their teams for the future of dentistry.
Kara holds senior-level HR credentials through the HR Certification Institute and Society for Human Resource Management, and she is a certified Everything DiSC Workplace Facilitator and Five Behaviors of a Cohesive Team Practitioner through Wiley. She serves the professional speaking community through her membership with the National Speakers Association, including her role on the national Chapter Leadership Committee, co-Chair of the NSA Millennials+ community, and as a Past President of the NSA Austin chapter. Kara has been featured in Global Authority magazine as a nationally-recognized HR authority. Additionally, she is an eSpeakers Certified Virtual Speaker, a member of dentistry’s Speaking Consulting Network, and has served in board positions for Austin SHRM and ADMC Memorial Foundation. Her love of HR and desire to serve her profession led her to found the HR Consultants Mastermind community, where she coaches entrepreneurial HR professionals nationwide as they transform HR expertise into impact and income.
Introduction at Event
Today’s speaker brings together the value of strategic HR, the realities of dentistry, and a caffeine habit that could power a small city. Between running a thriving independent consulting firm, raising teenagers who occasionally remember she exists, mastering Level 29 of TSA Carry-On Tetris, and swearing she will make it to the gym this week, she truly understands the busy-ness of being in business.
Since 2012, she’s been the behind-the-scenes brain dental leaders and healthcare executives call when the stakes are high and morale is low, guiding practices through the kinds of HR situations that make for horrifying podcast episodes. She’s earned a reputation for turning complex regulations into actionable strategy – and for helping leaders keep top talent by building workplaces employees love, patients praise, and competitors can’t copy.
Her passion for making the workplace more human is rivaled only by her passion for a good cup of cold-brew coffee. Please join me in welcoming HR nerd and caffeine addict, Kara Kelley!
Hi-Res Images for Marketing
A/V Requirements
Kara will bring…
- A Windows 11 laptop with HDMI connectors
- A Logitech wireless presentation remote
- A KEYNOTE presentation using 16:9 aspect ratio
Kara needs from you…
- A screen and projector (with HDMI input cable) appropriate to room and audience size
- A wireless lavalier or handheld microphone
- AC power for her laptop