Kelly Ward Email & Phone Number

New York, Ny, Us

Warren, Rhode Island, United States

My brother Kiffin and I are co-founders of Ward’s Manufacturing, a women-owned metal fabrication business specializing in fiber laser cutting and CNC press brake bending metal. We take on specialty orders with thick cuts, tight tolerances, and unique metals, all manufactured in the U.S.

New York, New York, United States

IUNU (pronounced “you-knew”) is a leading agriculture technology company in the controlled environment agriculture (CEA) industry. IUNU ranked 30th in the 2022 FoodTech 500, and for the past four years it has been named the AI-based AgTech Innovation of the Year by AgTech Breakthrough Awards. The company's AI and computer vision-driven LUNA platform enables growers to develop a feedback loop between capturing data and managing processes to create precise, predictable production. At IUNU, I helped bring advanced agriculture technology to indoor farms across the world. At the core of my projects were IUNU’s AI-driven LUNA platform which allows growers to develop a feedback loop between capturing data and managing processes to create precise, predictable production, and IUNU’s Cultivation Management Platform, which helps growers manage people, plants, processes, and compliance all in one place to de-risk their operation.

New York, New York, United States

Artemis (acquired by IUNU) is a Cultivation Management Platform (CMP) that enables growers to manage people, plants, process, and compliance all in one place, de-risking an operation. Artemis provides a bird’s eye view of productivity and compliance from seed to harvest, helping farms compete in a low-margin business.

New York, New York, United States

New York, New York, United States

Consulted for OnePointOne, an automated, aeroponic vertical farm start-up• Analyzed leafy green supply chain to evaluate unique market opportunities for OPO • Developed go-to-market strategy

Addis Ababa, Ethiopia

I was selected to be a Graduate Consultant for the Columbia University Office of the President's new initiative called Columbia World Projects (CWP). The International Research Institute for Climate and Society (IRI) at the Earth Institute is leading CWPs first project called Adapting Agriculture for Climate Today, for Tomorrow (ACToday). ACToday aims to understand the impact of climate variability on food systems, increase the production and availability of climate information, and improve the use of such information in decision making related to food security and nutrition. In my role, I;-Supported the launch of the $50M ACToday project.-Conducted agricultural value chain analyses assessing the role of and opportunity for leveraging climate information to maximize food production, reduce crop loss by predicting and managing flood and drought risk, and improve financial practices.-Provided recommendations to IRI, World Bank, the United Nations, the government of Ethiopia, and other multi-lateral and national institutions detailing how to incorporate climate information data into their programming to improve food security.

Greater New York City Area

My project focused on land contracts throughout several African countries and promoted and online land contracts database to equip communities with the legal expertise needed to design land contracts that protect community interests as well as to hold other parties accountable for operating within the parameters of the contracts. I;-Develop a fundraising and outreach plan that increased applications for the "Executive Training on Sustainable Investments in Agriculture" by over 300%.-Helped to develop and manage relationships with public and private donors in order to raise funding and expand programming.-Interviewed thought leaders and wrote articles and blogs to augment the center's outreach, increase media presence, and report on program progress.

Greater New York City Area

-I was a contributing member of two-person Strategies and Partnerships team, managed the development process for 44 proposals, winning 58% of proposals to secure over $256 million in funding during fiscal year 2016, and contributing over 70% of the annual budget for Columbia University Mailman School of Public Health.- I lead teams of medical experts in 29 countries to develop programmatic strategy and compete for funding. - I hired and managed a team of up to ten consultants and temporary staff.

Washington D.C. Metro Area

I managed accounts averaging $100K by co-creating programs with corporate partners.

Washington D.C. Metro Area

- I supported 319 projects with corporate partners (e.g. Disney, Johnson & Johnson, JetBlue, Humana) and as a team secured $45.7 million in one and a half years.-I was a contributing member of four-person strategy team that sold 129 projects generating $21.4 million in FY 2014 and 103 projects generating $15.2 million during six months of FY in 2015. - I created dashboard metrics, sales pipeline, and analytic tools to inform programs, evaluate resources, and forecast impact.- I appointed to Knowledge Management team, integrated Salesforce into company workflow, managed Corporate Partnerships data transition, customized salesforce apps and provided technical and change management trainings.-I created program and annual department budgets.

Greater Boston Area

Supervised floor of 40 international students in a building of 320 students. Developed and organized student programs for the International Business Living Learning Community to facilitate personal development, academic success, experiential learning, and community development. Promoted business education through programs with faculty speakers, and workshops. While enforcing school policy and serving as a peer counselor and resource for residents, I refined my leadership and crisis de-escalation skills.

Greater Boston Area

Researched the personality characteristics and behavioral ontogeny of Western Lowland Gorillas. Conducted direct observational data recording, video logging and examined gorilla responses to novel items. Employed methodological tools such as the Gorilla Behavior Index (GBI), timetables of developmental markers, and behavioral ethograms for individual gorillas. Conducted gorilla facial recognition experiments among other cognitive experiments.

Researched and developed case studies on various social enterprise models. Published articles for the Social Enterprise Review.Launched and managed NEU Social Enterprise Review and SEI Newsletter while promoting enterprise-based solutions through social conferences, lecture series, and various fundraising events. Designed press releases, and website materials to augment Institute outreach. Used Qualtrics to develop qualitative and quantitative databases to assess impact of our programs and curriculum. As part of a team, consulted a South African microbusiness and made investment recommendations. Interviewed students for acceptance into South Africa and Latin America Field Study Programs that work directly with entrepreneurs addressing social issues, and organized accepted student applications, passport information, etc. Participated as a speaker on co-operative education and microfinance panels.

Puerto Maldonado, Peru

Conducted primatology research out of the CICRA research base in an isolated area of the Peruvian Amazon. Researched the ecology, biology, parasitology, and endocrinology of three primate species in Peru. Collected and processed feeding ecology, tree and feces data, mapped group territories, full day follows of focal groups, maintained lab efficiency, conducted censuses and processed data.I was selected to continue research in my supervisor's absence for several months, during which I assumed a leadership position over researchers of various cultural backgrounds, languages, and ages and exceeded work hour and data collection goals. I also acted as the liaison between Primates Peru, local research base managers, and international research teams.

Dhaka, Bangladesh

Co-authored a 100-page technical report on Grameen Bank's Village Banking Model, financial products, internal management structure and sustainability practices based off independent field research.Certified in Grameen's lending methodology after completing Basic Training for replication of their micro-credit model, with focus on areas such as opening new branches, group-lending, loan proposals, loan management and accounting, and utilization assessments. I was an administrative Aide to Executive Director of Yunus Centre, as well as Nobel Laureate and Founder Dr. Muhammad Yunus. I drafted correspondence and PR collateral edited by Dr. Muhammad Yunus. Worked to strengthen the Yunus Centre's partnerships with a global network of social businesses, assessed pipeline of partnerships, drafted action plan to increase social business education in university business programs, researched and compiled data package for university startup social business clubs and institutes.Assisted Events Committee with event planning of the Yunus Centre’s “Social Business Day,” a high profile event that attracted 1,000 guests including international Nobel Laureates, diplomats and royalty.

Rhode Island

Worked full-time for Historic New England at the Casey Farm historic site, an organic farm that grows and raises endangered heritage breed plants and animals, and endeavors to preserve crop biodiversity and traditional agricultural techniques. I utilized drip irrigation, companion planting, and agroforestry, monitored and evaluated growth patterns, and managed greenhouses.

Mpa In Development Practice

Activities and Societies: Board Member of the Food Systems Group, Teaching Assistant for Geographic Information Systems, selected.

International Affairs, Minor In Social Entrepreneurship And Minor In Psychology, Summa Cum Laude

Activities and Societies: Honors: Dean's List, Honors Program, Dean's Scholarship, Presidential Global Scholar, Endowed Scholarship Grant.