Kelly O'Neil - How We Show Up for Communities, Teams, and Each Other

Come to join WRISE STL @ UMSL Ed G. Smith College of Business (ABH 103)! Here Kelly O'Neil will speak at 5:30pm.
About this Event

Overview:

• Join WRISE St. Louis for an evening of connection, conversation, and community at the UMSL Ed G. Smith College of Business (ABH 103). At 5:30 PM, we’re excited to welcome Kelly O’Neil, Co-Founder and President of KAOH Media, for a featured talk and discussion.
• Hosted by the Greater St. Louis chapter of WRISE and supported by the UMSL Ed G. Smith College of Business, this event brings together professionals from across the renewable and sustainable energy industry for a meaningful exchange centered on leadership, stewardship, and how we show up for one another.
• Kelly will speak on “Stewardship in Action: How We Show Up for Communities, Teams, and Each Other,” exploring the human side of our work - what it means to lead with presence, listen through complexity, and build trust in moments of uncertainty. Drawing from over a decade of experience in renewable energy development and public engagement, Kelly will reflect on how small, consistent acts of care and collaboration create resilience and lasting impact.
• WRISE’s mission is to drive progress toward an equitable energy future by championing the advancement of women across the renewable and sustainable energy industry, particularly here in St. Louis. People of all genders and allies are warmly welcomed to attend.

What to Expect:

• Featured talk by Kelly O’Neil
• Networking with fellow renewable energy professionals
• Updates on upcoming WRISE programs and ways to get involved
• Food and drinks provided (wine, water, and appetizers sponsored by WRISE STL)
• Tickets: Free | In-person only
• Location: UMSL Ed G. Smith College of Business (ABH 103)
• Whether you’re a long-time supporter of WRISE or new to the community, we’d love to have you join us for an evening of connection, reflection, and shared purpose as we continue building a strong and supportive renewable energy community in the Greater St. Louis area.

Speaker Bio:

KELLY O’NEIL

Co-Founder & President, KAOH Media

Kelly O’Neil is the Co-Founder and President of KAOH Media, where she leads strategic communications and public affairs work at the intersection of energy, community, and trust. With more than a decade focused in renewable energy, Kelly specializes in helping teams navigate complex, often contentious environments by leading with listening, transparency, and human-centered engagement.

She began her career on the agency side, managing integrated communications, advocacy campaigns, and digital strategies for national nonprofits and high-stakes ballot initiatives. That early work shaped her belief that meaningful progress happens when strategy is paired with empathy and when communities are treated as partners, not obstacles.

Over the past 10 years, Kelly has supported permitting and public engagement efforts for wind, solar, transmission, and battery storage projects across the United States and Canada. Her portfolio includes both emerging developers and several of the largest renewable energy companies in the country. Across every project, her work centers on stewardship: showing up consistently, building bridges across difference, and helping teams move forward with clarity and care.

Kelly holds a Bachelor of Arts with a double major in Political Science and Communications, along with a Certificate in Public Relations, from the University of Missouri–St. Louis.