District Governor Bio

 

Irene Kelly grew up in North Wildwood, New Jersey, attended the College of St. Elizabeth (a small women’s college) in Convent Station, NJ where she met her future husband, Bob, who is the main reason Irene is in MN … and a Rotarian! 

 

Irene joined the Rotary Club of Eden Prairie AM in 2004 after being invited and approved a few years prior (she says that not joining sooner is her only regret).  Once inducted, Irene jumped into service.  She was invited by Jerry McCoy, president, to serve as membership chair, to step onto the board and before you know it, serve as President of the club in 2010-2011. 

 

Irene has two grown children (men now), two wonderful daughters-in-law and three of the cutest grandchildren ever.  You frequently hear her say that her children are the greatest accomplishment in her life (she likes to take credit for the grandkids, too).  One of Irene’s greatest joys is supporting young people to thrive. She has served as a Strive mentor for a number of high school students, a few of whom she still supports.  Her coaching skills suit this role well as she couples her parenting mantra with her coaching work to empower those she supports with “wings to soar”.  

 

Besides her club service, Sandy Schley asked Irene to co-chair a District 5950 training event in the fall of 2009.  Diann Kirby invited her to serve as an Assistant Governor in 2011 and while she accepted, she shared interest in serving as District Trainer which she did from 2012-2015, first invited by Bob Stowell.  Irene is an avid supporter of the Rotary Foundation since it is the main vehicle that allows Rotarians to fund good works.  She is a member of the Paul Harris Society.   

 

In her professional life, Irene runs Prisma, LLC, a coaching and consulting firm that helps clients create new possibilities.  She has numerous coaching certifications including Professional Certified Coach and focuses in leadership development in both the business and academic areas.  Her practice supports clients to recognize beliefs that get in the way and generate possibilities that lead to satisfaction. 

 

She is also co-creator of JICT Images an image tool for coaches, facilitators and leaders and a representative of Usana, an educational wellness organization that manufactures high quality nutritional products.