creativity  |  curiosity  |  equanimity

Good design comes from good research, perspective-taking, and a collaborative design process. I am driven by challenges that allow me to use my seemingly contradictory blend of analytical thinking, creativity, and empathy.
— Kelley Reece, LMSW

Kelley Reece is a communications designer turned licensed social worker and public policy researcher.

Initiative Industries is her studio name under which she offers organizations and individual clients her diverse talents including:

  • Branding & Graphic Design

  • Data Analysis & Visualization  

  • Illustration

  • Photography

  • Copy Writing

  • Curriculum & Workshop Design

EXPERIENCE 

The Harris Center for Mental Health and IDD Jan 2024 – Oct 2024 
Project Outcomes Lead, Healthy Minds Healthy Communities Houston, TX 

  • Reported impact of ARPA-funded community-initiated care program to Harris Center’s Board of Directors and Harris County Commissioners Court for ten target zip codes 

  • Created culturally informed messaging salient to service population; reaching 56% more community members than target set by Commissioner’s Court 

  • Analyzed and visualized population data and demographic shifts of target zip codes over time; findings shaped communications strategies 

  • Initiated change within the Harris Center due to project success; resulting in creation of community outreach department to continue the work 

Initiative Industries | May 2011 – Present 
Principal Designer & Owner | Houston, TX 

  • Designed branding, advertisements websites, and packaging for clients including Leadership Houston, Hamilton College, and Syracuse University’s LGBT Resource Center 

  • Conducted intake consultations with new clients to ascertain project scope and communication challenges; resulted in client relationships lasting for over two years 

Lead Connect Grow, LLC | May 2021 - Present 

Writer & Editor | Houston, TX 

  • Created and presented workshops about intersectionality, leadership, and communication for organizations and working groups; Quality of programming led to strong business relationships with Williams Energy, Methodist Hospital, and TRIO groups across the country 

  • Delivered keynote to audience of over 500 at the West Virginia TRIO Leadership Conference 

Communities in Schools | Aug 2020 – May 2021 
Graduate Social Work Intern | Houston, TX 

  • Built and coded a web-based resource library for continuing education opportunities for staff during the COVID-19 pandemic 

Houston in Action | Aug 2018– May 2019 
Graduate Voter Engagement Social Work Intern | Houston, TX 

  • Conducted policy audit on Harris County voting laws and poll access; persuaded City Council to open polling locations on University of Houston Campus for the 2018 election 

  • Persuaded Episcopal Health Foundation grant funders to fulfill budget gaps comparative data visualizations comparing Harris County to LA county; Resulted in securing $250,000 grant 

Judson Design | Aug 2011– Feb 2015 
Designer | Houston, TX 

  • Designed for clients including Dress for Success, the Jung Center, Texas Medical Center, Ritz Carlton Hotels, Mitchell Historic Properties, Carrabba’s Original, Mia’s, and Grace’s 

Pride Union | Sept 2009 – May 2011 
President & Social Outreach Coordinator | Syracuse, NY 

  • Executed campus-wide events with other Student Union and local organizations through roles at Syracuse University’s LGBT Resource Center 

  • Led student discussion groups and engaged students in peer-to-peer counseling 

The OutCrowd Magazine | Sept 2009 – May 2011 
Art Director, Syracuse University LGBT Resource Center | Syracuse, NY 

  • Conceptualized and project managed editorial art work from student artists; Resulting in four issues over the course of 2 years with a readership of over 20,400 students 

Syracuse University LGBT Resource Center | Sept 2009 – May 2011 
Graphic Designer | Syracuse, NY 

  • Created advertisements, calendars, and fliers for hundreds of LGBT Resource Center event programming 

EDUCATION 

Master of Social Work, University of Houston Graduate College of Social Work, Graduated May 2021 

Master of Public Policy, University of Houston Hobby School of Public Affairs, Graduated May 2021 

Bachelor of Fine Arts Communications Design, Syracuse University, Graduated May 2011 

LICENSE 

Licensed Master Social Worker - #108976 

SKILLS 

Concept Development, Culturally Informed Communications, Data Analysis, Data Visualization, Needs Assessments, Community Engagement, Project Management, Stata, Adobe Creative Suite 

PROFESSIONAL AFFILIATIONS 

  • Phi Alpha Alpha International Honor Society for Public Affairs & Administrators 

  • Phi Alpha Honor Society of Social Work 

  • Association for Public Policy Analysis and Management 

  • National Association of Social Workers 

  • National Organization for Human Services 

Work in Action

Contact Me.