Biography
Natalie Kelly is the CEO of the Florida Association of Managing Entities (FAME), a statewide organization representing Florida’s seven behavioral health managing entities that manage, administer and make accountable almost $800 million of state, federal, and local funds to a network of more than 300 behavioral health providers around the state. The mission of FAME is to advance the recovery of individuals and their families so individuals can live healthy lives to their fullest potential.
Ms. Kelly is a skilled and successful entrepreneur, leader, and executive with 35 years of experience with state and federal government. She worked for both houses of the Florida Legislature, including 10 years in the Florida Senate as a Staff Director, Communications Director, and liaison to the Senate President. She was the Communications Director for one of the largest departments in Florida, The Department of Business and Professional Regulation, and was the international spokesperson during state emergencies. She was the State Director for a national Alzheimer’s organization, where she was promoted to Washington DC as the Director of Systems Change.
Prior to leading FAME, Natalie had a successful consulting firm representing local governments, a senior-residential national corporation, and aging, behavioral health and child welfare providers.
Natalie has received national and state recognition for her advocacy work. She was the finalist for the National Maureen Reagan Advocacy Award and was appointed by the House Speaker to the Purple Ribbon Task Force that developed Florida’s first Alzheimer’s State Plan.
Recognized as an accomplished public speaker and communicator, Natalie has presented around the nation and written numerous articles on effective advocacy, Alzheimer’s/dementia, aging, emergency management, behavioral health, and Florida’s behavioral health safety-net model.
Natalie earned a Master’s degrees from The Florida State University. In her spare time, Natalie is a world traveler, traveling to 86 countries and all seven continents.