JMI Inc. Board Member:

Kelly-Ann grew up in the Mountain View neighborhood of Kingston, Jamaica where a chance encounter changed the trajectory of her life. While coaching gymnastics, she met Desiree, a mentor and future friend who saw the potential in her. She received a sponsorship to attend the Edna Manley College of the Visual and Performing Arts. The friendship grew and Desiree went on to be a guiding presence in Kelly-Ann’s life for over fifteen years. That experience of someone believing and investing in her future is what drives Kelly-Ann’s commitment today.

With an Associate of Arts in dance technique, Kelly-Ann built a career spanning performance, choreography, and instruction in Jamaica. Kelly immigrated to Iowa in 2020 and became a proud U.S. citizen a few years later. After working for a while as a CNA in Nursing Homes, she is currently a homemaker raising her fourteen-month-old daughter and preparing to welcome another son into the family.

Having experienced firsthand the life-changing impact of mentorship and educational opportunities, Kelly-Ann brings both personal passion and cultural connection to this board. Her Jamaican roots, professional network, and understanding of what it means to be given a chance, make her a natural advocate for supporting students through the program.