Kelly Frances Bates

As president, Kelly (she/her) leads the strategic direction of IISC and pushes boundaries to reimagine what’s possible for racial equity and social justice. With her collaborative and shared leadership approach, Kelly supports a bold team of consultants and trainers who partner with leaders, organizations, and networks to turn their highest aspirations for change into tangible and equitable impact.

With over thirty years in the field, Kelly is a seasoned leadership and organizational change consultant, nonprofit civic leader, and lawyer who has led advocacy, organizing, and racial justice organizations on local and national stages. Her approach is rooted in one core belief: everyone has untapped power and potential to lead change and to create a more just and collaborative world. And she doesn’t just believe in it; she lives it, showing up as a facilitative leader, civic innovator, and advocate for progressive movements across communities.

Kelly brings her authentic, creative, and focused style to every room she enters. As a consultant, facilitator, and trainer, she’s known for transforming tense environments into spaces of trust and possibility. Her experience spans nonprofits, foundations, higher education, and even the corporate world – anywhere people are ready to challenge norms and work together for something better.

Beyond her role at IISC, Kelly’s a #coolmom, fitness lover, and a writer crafting her first novel. Passionate about justice, people, and progress, Kelly brings fierce commitment and a fresh, grounded perspective to the work of social transformation.

Check out her blog and writings on leadership and change.