Page 34 - March-2015-Life-in-Naples-Magazine

WINTHNEERS
CIRCLE naples style
by Sandra Lee Buxton

T he name Kelly can be used as a given as well as a surname. It has origins in Ireland, Wales, Scotland
and England but overall the meaning is the same,“warrior.”Now if you equate warrior behavior with
passion, then you know Kelly Cooper. Kelly is an individual who finds joy in everything that she
does and she does it with great passion. She loves to participate in group activities, mentoring, fundraising,
teaching, training, volunteering, and serving as an advocate. In addition to these admirable traits she is also a
natural leader and with her eclectic background has the ability to incorporate all of those skills into her projects.
Born and raised in Michigan she had visited her grandparents in Florida for years before making Naples

her home. As a young adult she expressed an interest in business and economics and her grandparents
encouraged her to follow her dreams. She received her BA degree in International Relations from
Michigan State University and a MA in International and Development Economics from the
University of San Francisco. Her educational pursuits allowed her to study in Eastern Europe
focusing on political and economic transition from a closed to open economy and in Belgium
on the EU and NATO expansion.
Prepared for the workforce she began as a Quality Assurance Manager for the Federal
Government, she found this to be enriching as well as challenging. Kelly interfaced and was
responsible for areas within the FBI, DEA, FDA, FEMA and DHS just to name a few. During
this time period new doors opened and she joined a financial analyst/consultant group working
on the development of capital improvements programs, public infrastructure, with diverse
areas such as utility rates. As her career progressed she served as a financial advisor conducting
seminars on debt management, wealth creation including retirement planning. With the
intensity of her passion in economics and finance it seemed as though her lifelong career was
established, then it happened.
Her grandparents with whom she was very close became ill and she wanted to be there for
them. She relocated back to Marco Island where they lived and moved in so that she could be there
for them 24/7. Always a “student”she began to research their diagnosis and more importantly how
to assist them. She states that it is hard to learn “a little” in healthcare without wanting to know “a
little more”which she did. Putting her business and economic career aside she entered a RN program
and became entrenched in nursing, wellness behaviors and healthcare. She was pleased that what she
was absorbing in school was applicable at home. This total turn of events has captured her heart and
she is thrilled to be where she feels that she was always meant to be, a RN advocate. Kelly serves as
the Clinical Supervisor in a Home Health Agency where all of her skills can be incorporated.
In Naples where she now lives, Kelly is a mentor at the Boys & Girls Club, in the Junior Women
of Initiative program; she is a volunteer RN at the Neighborhood Health Clinic, proud member of
the Latchkey League and Baby Basics where she was the Mistress of Ceremonies at their recent
fundraiser walk. Among other interests and participation is the Bayshore Cultural and Performing
Arts and the Aging Gracefully committee, a woman’s wellness conference to be held in May sponsored
by Ciccarelli Advisory Services. Kelly recently had the pleasure to address and encourage students at
LWIT and the Immokalee Foundation. We know the story about asking a busy person if you want
something done and that certainly applies to Kelly. One more thing, she is happy to report that her
grandparents are both doing well. Once again we have a new member to The Winners Circle Naples
Style, congratulations Kelly Cooper.

34 Life in Naples | March 2015