Kelly Schempp is the vice president of marketing and chief brand officer at the Mann Center for the Performing Arts, where she has helped lead the center to a record-breaking year in 2022. The nonprofit welcomed over 350,000 patrons to its campus across more than 170 concerts and events, making it the most well-attended season to date. The Mann’s commitment to education and community engagement also deepened, with the launch of the first-ever Community Artist-In- Residence Program.
Schempp’s dedication to growth and forward- thinking is evident in her ongoing pursuit of professional development. She participates in executive programs focused on honing her leadership voice, emotional intelligence and coaching skills. This commitment to learning ensures that she remains a valuable resource to her team and the institution.
Schempp strives to create a safe and collaborative environment. As a mentor to emerging leaders, she takes pride in empowering others and championing their potential.
“I am honored to be a part of developing the next generation of titans,” Schempp said. “Curating a safe environment where questions are welcome, voices are valued, collaboration is key and thirst for knowledge and growth are encouraged has always been how I run my team. Over the past decades, I have had the pleasure of championing future leaders. Having a hand in creating opportunities for emerging leaders is a role that provides me great pride and that I hold in the highest regard — being entrusted with the responsibility is something I take incredibly seriously.”
Schempp said she finds joy in her roles as a wife, mother, daughter, friend, advocate, amateur artist and neighbor. Her values of family and community are reflected in her decision to prioritize family over a dream job opportunity, which led her to the entertainment industry and her successful career in marketing.
“Early in my career, I was offered my dream position — one I had worked my whole life to be offered,” Schempp said. “The position also came with a substantial starting salary. However, at this time, my mother was battling cancer, and despite everyone advising me to take this role, I chose to put my family first — a decision I have never regretted as it gave me the gift of time with my mother.
“I turned my dream job down, and to my surprise, I found myself in a different industry than I was initially targeting, the entertainment industry. I absolutely loved marketing, tourism, entertainment, music, all of it, and that was closer to home, and that is where my career journey began. I followed my gut, worked incredibly hard and never asked someone to do something I would not do myself. I learned that you must take risks, bank on yourself, and stay focused on your own resolution to succeed despite any obstacles.”
