Dr Helen Kelly

Helen has more than 20 years’ experience of higher education, in senior leadership roles within Trinity College Dublin, University of Warwick, and SOAS University of London. Her skills and expertise span change management, internationalisation, external engagement, development, and strategic planning.
Helen has extensive experience of delivering large-scale initiatives across multiple jurisdictions to create high-performing cultures and environments. A strategic and analytical thought leader, Helen has an impressive track record of operational delivery and strategy development. Helen also has experience of leading institution-wide change management programmes, including university governance structures and strategic re-positioning. She has excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to challenge established practices to create agile processes and operational efficiency. She is able to direct and manage delivery teams on the ground, as well as being fully integrated at senior management level.
In her last substantive position as Director of Global Engagement at SOAS, Helen established the directorate from scratch and developed a portfolio that included TNE partnerships, strategic communications, project management, and fundraising and development. Since moving into consultancy, Helen has undertaken a range of strategic projects for national and international higher education institutions and organisations, delivering comprehensive analysis and informed recommendations. She believes in working collaboratively with her clients, taking a consultative approach to support and drive forward aims, objectives and outcomes.