Kelly Nickel is passionate about health policy, supported by her range of experience in health care and advocacy circles. Her diverse background in today’s complex government environment includes policy research, legislative advocacy, communications bridging, coalition building, efficacious writing, media strategy and political campaigns.
Before joining FaegreBD Consulting, Kelly collaborated with legislators and organizations to support the passage of bills, regulations and amendments as a legislative representative with the American Counseling Association (ACA). Her role also included writing testimony and arranging oral testimony through ACA membership, as well as identifying, crafting and executing legislative strategies.
Previously, Kelly served as a political party regional field organizer and voter registration campaign director in Utah, where she managed three candidates in message development; mail connectivity; fundraising; and online, print and billboard advertising. Kelly also hired, trained and managed a team of four field organizers resulting in 20,000 voter registrations after personally making more than 5,000 volunteer recruitment calls resulting in 120 volunteers.
As a graduate student at Missouri State University, Kelly taught public speaking and helped coach three debate teams to the prestigious National Debate Tournament.
- Women in Government Relations
- Association of Government Relations Professionals
- Utah AIDS Foundation — Past Planning Committee Member
- American Counseling Association Legislative Advocacy Update
Connecticut Counseling Association Leadership Training, April 2015; NY-ACA Legislative Day on the Hill, May 2015; ACA Institute for Leadership Training, July 2015; and Colorado Counseling Association Leadership Training, August 2015
- Media Conceptualizations of Women’s Health Issues: Contraceptive Coverage in the Affordable Care Act
Central States Communication Association, Modes for Change: Modern Media and Communicating Social Change, April 2013
- The Comparative Efficacy of a Hybrid Guilt-Fear Appeal and a Traditional Fear Appeal to Influence HPV Vaccination Intentions
Communication Research, December 2015
Kelly is an avid cross-fitter who loves the combined mental and physical challenges of the activity. She can deadlift 250 pounds and excels at double-unders. She also enjoys experimenting in the kitchen with new recipes and keeping track of the political campaign environment.