Declan Kelly (businessman) facts for kids

Declan Kelly (born 1968) is an Irish-American business leader and entrepreneur. He is the founder, Chairman, and CEO of The Consello Group. This company helps businesses with investing and financial services. Kelly is also well-known for starting and leading Teneo, a big international consulting company based in New York City.

Declan Kelly's Journey

Kelly started his career in the 1980s and 1990s as a journalist. He wrote for local newspapers like The Nenagh Guardian and the Tipperary Star. In 1994, he won an award for being the Business Journalist of The Year.

After journalism, he worked in management for Irish communication companies. In 1999, he started his own business called Gallagher and Kelly Public Relations. He sold this company in 2000 and moved to the United States.

Working with Big Companies

In the U.S., Kelly advised large companies such as General Electric, Coca-Cola, and Dell. When his company was sold to FTI Consulting, Kelly became a top executive there. He helped manage the company's different businesses in over 20 countries.

Advising Hillary Clinton

From 2007 to 2008, Kelly was a key advisor to Hillary Clinton during her presidential campaign. He helped organize fundraising events for her. He was known for being very good at raising money.

Helping Northern Ireland

In 2009, Hillary Clinton appointed him as the U.S. Economic Envoy to Northern Ireland. This meant his job was to help improve the economy there. He worked to bring new jobs to Northern Ireland. Politicians like Peter Robinson and Martin McGuinness praised him for his efforts. He resigned from this role in May 2011, having helped create many jobs.

Starting Teneo

In June 2011, Kelly co-founded Teneo Holdings in New York. He became the chairman and co-CEO. Teneo quickly became a major global consulting firm. It advises many of the world's largest companies. Famous people like Tony Blair and Bill Clinton were part of Teneo's advisory board.

By 2012, Teneo had many employees and important clients. Irish Central magazine called Kelly "this Irish generation's Tony O'Reilly" because of his success in international business.

Later Years in Business

In 2014, a private equity firm invested in Teneo, helping it grow even more. Teneo expanded its services and hired more people around the world.

In 2021, Kelly stepped down from his role as CEO of Teneo. In 2022, he started a new company called Consello. This company focuses on investing, banking, and helping companies with mergers and acquisitions.

Early Life and School

Declan Kelly was born in 1968 in Portroe, a village in Tipperary, Ireland. His parents, Nan and Tom Kelly, made sacrifices to ensure Declan and his brother, Alan, received good educations. Alan later became a government minister in Ireland.

At 16, Kelly started working as a "cub reporter" for The Nenagh Guardian for free. At the same time, he attended Nenagh CBS school. He also played hurling, a traditional Irish sport.

From 1986 to 1989, Kelly studied at the National University of Ireland in Galway. He earned a bachelor's degree in English and law. He continued to work as a reporter while studying.

Giving Back

Declan Kelly is involved with many non-profit groups. He focuses on helping Irish and Irish-American causes.

He has served on the advisory board of New York University's Glucksman Ireland House. He was also chairman of the U.S. Foundation Board at the National University of Ireland, Galway. He has helped raise money for organizations like the Clinton Foundation and the American Ireland Funds.

Since 2013, he has been on the board of the Sesame Workshop, which creates educational shows like Sesame Street. He also serves on the boards of the American Ireland Fund, Cooperation Ireland, and GOAL (USA). In 2015, he became chairman of the American Associates of the Royal Academy of Arts.

Kelly also started the Northern Ireland Mentorship Program. This program helps young university graduates from Northern Ireland work at top companies in the U.S. The goal is to help them gain skills and experience. In April 2020, he was an executive producer for Together at Home, an online concert that raised money to help with the COVID-19 pandemic.

Awards and Honors

Kelly has received many awards for his work in journalism, business, and charity.

In 1994, he was named the AT Cross Business Journalist of The Year. In 2005, he was listed among the "top one hundred Irish American businessmen in the US" by Irish America magazine. That same year, the National University of Ireland, Galway gave him an award for Business and Commerce.

In 2008, the American Irish Historical Society gave Kelly their gold medal. He was the youngest person ever to receive this award. It is given to someone who has made a special contribution to Irish American society.

In 2011, Queen's University Belfast gave him an honorary doctorate for his service to Northern Ireland's community and economy. In 2012, he received the Ellis Island Medal of Honor. This award recognizes people who have made significant contributions to America.

Personal Life

Declan Kelly is a citizen of both Ireland and the United States. He lives in Portroe, Ireland, and New York City with his wife, Julia, and their family.

See also

• List of entrepreneurs
• List of NUI Galway people