Kelly Croy is an educator, author, and international keynote speaker with more than thirty-five years of experience inspiring students, families, leaders, and organizations. After twenty seven years teaching seventh grade English, he now serves as the Director of Innovation and Instruction for Port Clinton City Schools in Ohio, where he leads curriculum, mentoring, and leadership development for the district.
Kelly has spoken to audiences as large as 8,000 and conference rooms of 8. It is not the size of the audience that matters. It is the size of the impact. Every person matters, and they need to know it.
Kelly has spoken at large Christian events across the country and around the world. He has been invited into sanctuaries, halls, ballrooms, and wherever people meet to make a positive difference and desire to live and lead as Jesus wished. Kelly has keynoted on four continents and is the only speaker in Ohio School Boards Association history to receive a perfect rating from every person in the audience.
He holds designations as an Apple Distinguished Educator, Google Certified Innovator, and PBS Digital Innovator. He is the host of The Wired Educator Podcast, where he shares meaningful conversations with influential leaders, authors, and educators from around the world, including guests like Seth Godin and Jim Tressel. Kelly is the author of three books, including his newest, Meditations on the Nativity: Finding Wisdom, Purpose, and Wonder in Everyday Life (December 2025).
Through warm reflections and practical insights, the book invites readers to slow down, look closer, and rediscover the wisdom tucked inside the familiar story of Christ’s birth. Each chapter explores a symbol of the Nativity and connects it to modern challenges like busyness, distraction, and disconnection. His other titles include Along Came a Leader and Unthink Before Bed: A Children’s Book on Mindfulness.
Kelly strives to live his faith in the way he serves, creates, leads, and teaches, believing that kindness, presence, and purpose should guide everyday life. He is an Eagle Scout, a husband, and a father of four daughters. Kelly and his wife, Lorrain, live in Ohio with their two dogs, Jedi and Kenobi.
Keynote Topics
1. Meditations on the Nativity: Finding Wisdom, Purpose, and Wonder in Everyday Life Audience: Parishes, retreats, men’s and women’s groups, Advent and Christmas events, conferences An action figure beside the Nativity may seem unexpected. That contrast is the point. In this warm and engaging talk based on his newest book, Kelly Croy invites audiences to see the Nativity not as a distant scene frozen in time, but as a living reminder that wisdom, purpose, and wonder can be found in the everyday. Through storytelling, humor, and gentle reflection, Kelly explores the familiar figures of the Christmas story and connects their lessons to the modern challenges we all face: busyness, distraction, comparison, and disconnection. Audiences will leave with a renewed sense of childlike faith and practical ways to bring more kindness, presence, and meaning into their daily lives. Key Takeaways: Rediscover the power of childlike faith and curiosity. Learn to slow down, be present, and find God in ordinary moments. Walk away with simple, practical habits to deepen faith, strengthen family, and live with greater purpose.
2. Along Came a Leader: Living the Six Tenets of Leadership Audience: Men’s conferences, parish leadership teams, school and ministry leaders, business groups, youth events Leadership is not a title. It is a responsibility we choose. In this high-energy keynote, Kelly shares the six tenets of leadership from his book Along Came a Leader and connects them to the call every person of faith receives: to serve others, lead with integrity, and give the world something worth following. Drawing from thirty-five years in education, coaching, and speaking, Kelly blends humor, vulnerability, and practical strategy to show how anyone can step into leadership right where they are. This talk is a wake-up call and an invitation. Key Takeaways: Understand the six tenets that define great leaders. Discover how attitude, communication, vision, and authenticity shape every relationship and organization. Leave with a personal leadership action plan you can begin immediately.
3. The Ambassador of Awesome: Becoming the Light in Your Community Audience: Parishes, school communities, conferences, galas, family events, youth groups There is a hidden role in every organization, every parish, every family that anyone can step into at any time. Kelly calls it The Ambassador of Awesome. It is the person who celebrates, elevates, and amplifies the greatness in others while making where they serve the place everyone wants to be. In this fun, inspiring, and deeply motivational keynote, Kelly challenges audiences to stop waiting for someone else to go first and instead become the light their community needs. Rooted in faith, filled with laughter, and packed with stories that stick, this talk will have your audience ready to take action before they reach the parking lot. Key Takeaways: Recognize the power you already carry to change the culture around you. Learn simple, repeatable habits that build connection, encouragement, and joy in every setting. Walk away inspired to be the person who makes others feel seen, valued, and capable.
4. Be Careful What You Label a Weakness Audience: Men’s groups, youth events, retreats, motivational and inspirational events, business groups What if the thing you have been told is your greatest weakness is actually the key to your greatest strength? Kelly shares his own story of growing up as a small, shy boy with a girl’s name who loved art and writing more than sports, and how every label the world stuck on him became fuel for the life God had planned. This deeply personal and powerful talk helps audiences rethink the labels they carry, replace limiting beliefs with a growth mindset, and trust that God wastes nothing. It is a message of hope, resilience, and purpose that stays with audiences long after the event. Key Takeaways: Reframe the struggles and labels you carry as evidence of God’s design. Replace a fixed mindset with a growth mindset rooted in faith. Discover practical tools to unlock hidden talent in yourself and the people around you.
5. Do Not Be Afraid: Faith, Family, and Showing Up Audience: Retreats, parish missions, family events, Advent and Lenten programs, men’s and women’s groups The most repeated command in Scripture is “Do not be afraid.” Yet fear is the thing that stops most of us from living the life God intended. In this honest and moving keynote, Kelly draws from Scripture, personal experience, and thirty-five years of walking alongside students and families to explore what it looks like to choose faith over fear in our homes, our work, and our relationships. From the courage of Mary and Joseph to the quiet bravery it takes to show up for the people who need us most, this talk reminds audiences that God does not call the equipped. He equips the called. Key Takeaways: Identify the fears that hold you back from living boldly. Discover the practical connection between faith and courage. Leave with a renewed commitment to show up for your family, your faith, and the people who need you.
