Heidi Kelly-Gibson

My goal is simple: to inspire you, help you define your next step, and earn your trust. I want you to find meaning in my content to ultimately help you transform your life for the better.

I'm a lifelong learner driven by curiosity and a deep commitment to people finding a safe space to grow. Whether that's my team, my customers, or my community. I understand the importance of leading with empathy and creating space for others to grow. My two dogs and family remind me daily that joy and authenticity matter just as much as achievement.

For over 15 years, I've been a dedicated American Red Cross blood donor because I believe in showing up for others in tangible ways. That same commitment extends to my work: for the last seven years, I've been devoted to a company with a social good mission of digital equality for everyone. I'm energized by mentoring emerging leaders and watching them discover their own potential. Five promotions under my leadership are some of my proudest accomplishments, alongside the 10 professional certifications my team members earned while working together (6 CPACC, 1 PMP, 2 Scrum, 1 CSPO). Their growth is my success.

I'm passionate about sharing knowledge and driving meaningful change. I've had the privilege of speaking at national conferences and industry events, presenting on topics from change management to innovation and future trends. Through conference stages, webinars, and thought leadership, I work to elevate conversations around customer experience, operational excellence, and building teams that thrive.

I'm drawn to global perspectives, whether through travel, working across 15+ time zones with international teams, or learning languages (currently dabbling in ASL, Italian, and Spanish). I believe the best solutions come from diverse voices and lived experiences, and I work to create environments where everyone feels heard and valued.

At my core, I'm someone who doesn't shy away from challenges. I meet them head-on with optimism and a servant leadership approach that puts people first. Because ultimately, success isn't just about what we accomplish; it's about who we lift up along the way. And that is where "Make it Real" transforms our ideas into reality.

The creds & my journey to make it real...

I am a PMP-certified professional, IAAP CPACC certified, and hold certifications in AI Fundamentals, Cognitive Project Management, and Digital Adoption. I have started from the ground floor and worked my way up into leadership roles in two companies. I overcame stigma and my own self-doubt in the pursuit of excellence, knowledge, and inspiring strong teams and individuals to do the same. I am loyal and a lifelong learner. In fact, I am back in school now!

Areas of Expertise

Pillars of Positivity
Inspiring Emotional Intelligence
Mentoring and Building a Culture of Mentorship
Empowering Communications
Advocacy, Actions & Accountability
Driving Ideas, Intellectual Growth & Transformation
Transformational Vs. Transactional Leadership
Organizational Leadership & Cultural Diversity

PMI Intro to Cognitive Project Management in AI (CPMAI) Badge

AI Fundamentals through IBM Certified Badge

Certificate Badge for Digital Adoption from Pendo

The Make it Real Story

My career is proof that the path to leadership isn't always linear. It's built on curiosity, resilience, and a genuine commitment to people. I am in constant pursuit of making my dreams a reality, and now I want to help you do the same. The Make It Real story is all of ours!

The Beginning: Learning the Foundation

I started in hospitality, managing a business where every day taught me something essential: how to lead people, manage finances, and navigate chaos with grace. Those early years weren't glamorous, but they were invaluable. I learned that success comes from caring deeply about the people around you and creating an environment where they can thrive.

The Pivot: Building Something Bigger

When I moved into enterprise account management, I brought that hospitality mindset with me. Instead of running a hotel, I was building relationships with major clients. I started noticing patterns. Customers weren't just looking for a product or service; they wanted to feel understood and supported throughout their entire journey. That insight became the foundation for everything that came next.

Over the following years, I moved from managing individual accounts to managing programs, then portfolios, and eventually entire engagements. Each step taught me something new about complexity, scale, and what it takes to lead through uncertainty.

The Turning Point: Creating Systems That Last

The real breakthrough came when I realized something: the best leaders aren't the ones who have all the answers—they're the ones who build systems and people who can find answers together. I started developing frameworks, standardizing processes, and creating structures that allowed teams to scale without sacrificing quality.

This is when I moved from managing projects to managing people at scale. Leading global teams across multiple time zones taught me that leadership is about vision, clarity, and genuine investment in your team's growth. I've had the privilege of promoting five people directly under my leadership, and watching them succeed has been one of my greatest sources of pride.

The Evolution: From Execution to Impact

Today, my role is about orchestrating teams, aligning business outcomes with customer success, and thinking strategically about what growth really means. I've learned that scaling isn't just about growing revenue. It's about creating sustainable practices, reducing friction, and building a culture where people feel valued.

I've also discovered my passion for accessibility and organizational change. As I've grown, I've become more vocal about these topics. I speak at conferences, write about change management, and work to ensure that digital accessibility becomes woven into how we build products and serve customers. This is now just part of life for me.

What I've Learned Along the Way

My career has taught me that advancement isn't about climbing a ladder—it's about expanding your circle of influence and impact. It's about asking better questions, surrounding yourself with smart people, and never losing sight of why you started in the first place: to make things better for the people around you.

Growth happens when you're willing to be uncomfortable, when you invest in understanding people, and when you recognize that your success is directly tied to the success of your team.

The Invitation

If you're looking to advance in your career, my story shows that it's possible to come from anywhere and grow exponentially—but only if you commit to continuous learning, genuinely care about people, and build systems that serve them. The path isn't always clear, but the direction is always upward when you focus on impact.

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