Kelly co-founded Sentience Institute and served as the organization’s executive director for its first three years, quickly establishing the organization by grantwriting, presenting at numerous conferences, developing and managing the website, hiring and managing staff with co-founder Jacy, editing research output, and conducted research herself. Kelly previously served as Director of Communications at Sentience Politics, co-organized a grassroots animal advocacy organization, and worked as a front-end software engineer. Kelly has participated in many animal rescues and has volunteered her design skills to several animal advocacy organizations.