Kelly Esperias, EdD, MBA, CFRE

Kelly Esperias joined KGI in 2015 and leads the effort to support the operational environment where students, faculty, and employees come together to do their best work. As the VP & COO, Dr. Esperias aligns resources with Institute priorities to meet the KGI community’s needs through partnership, innovation, and continuous improvement. She partners with the community to deliver innovative and robust solutions for operations and communications to support campus priorities. She brings to the VP & COO position a deep understanding of and commitment to innovation at KGI, including experience in enhancing business processes to enable the Institute’s academic and business functions to achieve their targets as they align with KGI’s strategic plan.

Previously, Esperias served as Vice President of Institutional Development and Partnerships at KGI. She provided direction, oversight, and management for fundraising, marketing, communications, corporate partnerships, and presidential initiatives.

Before KGI, Esperias was at Servite as the Director of Communications and Marketing. Before arriving at Servite, she worked for Anschutz Entertainment Group (AEG), where she was the Senior Manager of Operations at Angel Stadium. She was responsible for the planning, marketing, and operations management of some of the country’s largest sports and entertainment events, including the 2010 Major League Baseball All-Star Game at Angel Stadium and the 2011 National Basketball Association All-Star Game and Fan Fest at Staples Center.

Esperias holds a Doctorate in Organizational Change and Leadership from the University of Southern California, a Master of Business Administration from the University of La Verne, and a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration from Cal Poly Pomona. A Certified Fundraising Executive, Esperias has a Certificate in Non-Profit Board Management and a Certificate in Nonprofit Leadership and Management from the University of Notre Dame.