Kelly Schaefer joined The Marine Mammal Center in 2020, bringing a strong commitment to building effective partnerships across the organization through timely, reliable employee support that fosters high levels of engagement and trust. As Associate Director of People Relations, Kelly works to ensure employee and volunteer concerns are addressed fairly and consistently while equipping managers and supervisors with the tools and guidance they need to successfully lead and support their teams. She builds confidence across the organization through clear communication, deep subject-matter expertise, and thoughtful escalation when needed to resolve complex issues.

Kelly is a human resources professional with more than 15 years of management experience across a range of dynamic industries, including nonprofit organizations, retail, hospitality, travel, events, and entertainment.

She earned her bachelor’s degree in Anthropology from the University of California, Santa Cruz, and a Certificate in Human Resources Management from the University of California, Berkeley Extension. Kelly is also a Certified Professional with the Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM-CP).

Outside of work, Kelly enjoys staying active—you can often find her running, swimming, biking, or exploring new ways to keep moving. When she slows down, she enjoys watching documentaries and spending time cuddling with her dog.

Areas of Expertise

• Human Resources Management
• Solutions-driven Decision-making
• Team Development
• Change Management
• Training and Development