Dawn Kelly

Dawn Kelly is CEO of The Nourish Spot Inc., her family owned and operated healthy food, smoothie and natural juice bar. Ms. Kelly is also Partner at the Metropolis Group US, a virtual public relations consultancy.

Formerly Department Vice President of Prudential Financial, Inc., Ms. Kelly is a trusted, seasoned and proven public relations and strategic communications executive with a track record of developing and implementing large-scale innovative, integrated communications plans to build brand awareness for businesses, including her own.

She and her children have received numerous honors and recognition for the business’ community partnerships, including Micro Business of the Year by the U.S. Small Business Administration NY District, beating out over 1 million other competitors for the prestigious award. She collaborates with community-based and nonprofit organizations across the City to provide internships, culinary and hospitality training to neighborhood youth. Once internships are complete, she has offered many of the young adults part-time jobs.

In 2018, Ms. Kelly was certified as an Airport Concession Disadvantaged Business Enterprise, which will allow her to expand her business at airports affiliated with the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey. She is currently vying for an opportunity to open a kiosk as the redevelopment project at John F. Kennedy Airport ensues.

During the coronavirus pandemic, Ms. Kelly has redoubled her efforts to provide healthy food options to seniors, the disabled and essential workers by collaborating with Senator Comrie and creating the SOS Initiative, #ServingOurSeniors. Each week, she provides a variety of wraps, salads and delectables to one of the Grab & Go or food delivery operations that Senator Comrie’s office oversees. As fresh food options are sparse in the community, Ms. Kelly’s homemade recipes and handmade organic meals are a boon to a community with many members suffering from food insecurity.

Ms. Kelly is a community partner for LINCNYC and a member of the Douglass King Democratic Club. She lives by the virtue of three quotes instilled in her by her grandfather, “You are what you put into yourself,” "Winners don’t quit on themselves,” and “The early bird gets the worm!”