We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Brandi Kelly. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Brandi below.

Brandi, appreciate you joining us today. What’s the kindest thing anyone has ever done for you?

When I was 15 years old, my brother Brandon drowned.

And I’ll be honest—when you walk through a tragedy like that, it would be easy to only see the pain.

But something else happened.

Our community showed up!
They searched for Brandon day and night.
His classmates and teachers created a memory book filled with stories—reminding us of his light, his laughter, his life.

In the middle of heartbreak… we saw hope and kindness.

And looking back now, I realize—that’s what shaped me.

It’s why I went into education.
It’s why I do this work today.

Because what we choose to focus on matters.

Even in the hardest moments, there is still good.
There is still light.
There is still hope.

So today—train your focus.
Look for it.

Because what you look for… you will find.

As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your background and context?

I’m Dr. Brandi Kelly… an educator, speaker, author, and founder of Spark HOPE Edu. But more than anything, I’m someone who believes deeply in the power of people to overcome adversity and turn pain into purpose.

My journey into this work didn’t begin in a boardroom, it began in heartbreak.

When I lost my younger brother, Brandon, in a tragic drowning something powerful happened… our community showed up in extraordinary ways. They searched tirelessly, they surrounded us with love, and they reminded us of Brandon’s light through stories and shared memories. That experience changed me. It showed me that even in the darkest moments, hope is not lost, it’s often carried by others until we can hold it again ourselves.

That became my life’s work.

I went into education to be that person for others… to help students, educators, and leaders see what’s possible, even when circumstances feel overwhelming. Over the past 20+ years, I’ve served in education, leadership, and mental health, and through that work, I developed the System of H.O.P.E.—a framework centered on Habits, Optimistic Outlook, Purpose, and Excellence.

Today, through Spark HOPE Edu, I partner with schools, organizations, and leaders to build cultures where people feel seen, supported, and inspired to grow. My work includes keynote speaking, leadership development, coaching, and cohort-based learning experiences. I also create content and resources, including books, podcasts, keynotes and trainings, that equip leaders with practical, research-based strategies they can actually use.

The problems I help solve are real and urgent… burnout, disengagement, lack of clarity, and cultures where people are surviving instead of thriving. I help leaders move from reactive to intentional, from overwhelmed to aligned, and from simply managing to truly leading with purpose.

What sets my work apart is that it sits at the intersection of heart and strategy. I bring both lived experience and professional expertise. I don’t just inspire people in the moment, I give them tools, systems, and structures that create lasting change.

What I’m most proud of isn’t an award or a title… it’s the impact. It’s the stories of leaders who found their purpose again, schools that shifted their culture, and individuals who began to believe in themselves in a new way. It’s knowing that the message of hope continues to ripple outward.

If there’s one thing I want people to know about me and my work, it’s this:

Hope is not just a feeling—it’s a strategy.

And when you lead with H.O.P.E., you don’t just change outcomes… you change lives.

Learning and unlearning are both critical parts of growth – can you share a story of a time when you had to unlearn a lesson?

I used to believe I had to have it all together before I could lead or make a difference. Starting a new business later in life, when most people are counting down the days to retirement, taught me the opposite: you don’t need to be perfect to hold hope or inspire others. Your resilience, your growth, and your story… that’s what makes your leadership real. Starting fresh has made me not just a better leader, but a better human being.

Can you talk to us about how your side-hustle turned into something more.

What started as a side hustle—sharing leadership and hope while still working as a Superintendent (Public PK-12 Education)—grew into Spark HOPE Edu, my full-time mission. Key milestones? Developing the H.O.P.E. framework, launching a podcast, publishing two books (Lead with H.O.P.E. and Spreading Sunshine with Kindness), and creating coaching programs that scale impact. What began as a passion is now a platform helping leaders and communities thrive.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://sparkhopeedu.com
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/brandi-kelly-ed-d-lcsw/
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@SparkHopeEdu