Testimonials & Feedback

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🌟  "I have worked closely with Kelly over the years in various capacities as she worked with Superintendents and Principals on their hiring and selection of teachers.  Kelly has a unique ability to strategize with leaders,  understand their individual needs,  and develop and implement impact plans that lead to growth and outcomes for students.  She is at her best talking with Superintendents and leaders about how to create engaging environments for students and great workplaces for adults. She understands all leaders are unique and should lead and motivate from their individual strengths, not their position.  I highly recommend partnering with Kelly and the team at ACOFEE as they coach executive staff to reach their district's mission."

-Dr. Elizabeth Arons, Chief Executive Officer, Urban Schools Human Capital Academy

🌟  "Kelly Horner is a strategic thinker and her ability to support leadership development initiatives is exemplary. I have known Kelly for nine years and she has shared her expertise in strategic planning and human resources development which has resulted in a highly effective system for selection, development, and coaching support in our school district. Kelly is passionate about her work and is also passionate about seeing others improve their processes. She is very personable and a great listener. She takes care to understand the culture and context of our organization and aligns her work to the context of the organization. I know that if you have the opportunity to work with Kelly, you will have a professional partner for life who is also vested in your success and the success of your organization."

-Dr. Kendra Washington-Bass, Director of Leadership Development, Gwinnett County Public Schools 

🌟  "Kelly Horner is an absolute gem; she’s the coach I never knew I needed. In the midst of a pandemic and on the cusp of social justice reform, she has managed to transform my thinking and has offered me hope. Every session, she provides me alternative ways to address my leadership issues and concerns and she never leaves me without research-based ways to live a more full life. Her coaching sessions are akin to sitting down to have tea with a very special friend. If you need direction, clarity, and/or a shift in perspective, I strongly recommend you hire Kelly to improve your leadership skills and overall mental wellness."

-Latrese Young, Middle School Assistant Principal and CEO, BWEL

🌟  "It is with great pleasure that I share this review for Kelly.  In March, when schools closed, I certainly expected to be back in a few weeks or months at most.  Though I've never worked with a life coach, I found the opportunity when I saw it offered from Kelly intriguing and reached out for the offer-one of the BEST things I've ever done!  As a division level leader, this COVID-19 closure exposed areas of my leadership that were places that I could certainly grow, tested those areas of strength, as well as challenged my fortitude and endurance with the increased demands which came with the position.  Kelly's coaching methods have provided me with tools to challenge my thinking in positive ways and create pathways of collaboration with my teams that have fostered more collaborative decisions, open dialogue and forced me to move from the door, "into the arena"!  Her coaching methods are consistent, kind yet challenge you to think deeper, and provide you with outcome based steps.  COVID-19 School closure has been one of the most challenging times in my over 20 years in education.  The support Kelly has provided through her coaching has not only helped me maneuver, it has made my leadership skills even better than before!  I always try to find a positive. I will say that professionally and personally, meeting and working with Kelly through her offering services to educators at the beginning of the pandemic was truly a positive for me and I don't believe in coincidences!  Thanks for being what I didn't know I needed!"

- Katrina Lee, Special Education Supervisor 

🌟  "Dare to Lead with Kelly as a facilitator changed my life. There are aspects of being a courageous black woman that can be viewed as being angry/bitter. I was able to work through what it looks like to show up as my authentic self while still being viewed as a professional. This work helped me to understand that some of the challenges I face have also been faced and conquered by other women of color. I was able to learn, research, rumble, share, and grow during these sessions. I am truly a better person because of this experience. Kelly was such a valuable part of this process. She is a natural. Her humor and ability to be vulnerable with the group made for a very interesting ride."

🌟  "Openness on the part of the participants breakout components, time for reflection between sessions was 'just right,' loved that the group was all women."

🌟  "This was a great training with a great group of people. Kelly Horner facilitated meaningful and necessary conversations and provided a safe space to have them."

🌟  "I loved everything!"