Bio
About Kelli
Kelli Dunaway coaches and trains lawyers and law firm professionals around the globe in becoming the leaders they want to be. She specializes in feedback and motivation, empathetic leadership, and setting and achieving big and small goals.
Kelli is an Associate Certified Coach, lawyer, and Councilwoman who brings over 20 years of leadership development experience to her coaching, training and consulting practices.
Kelli uses the knowledge and insights gleaned in her individual and cohort coaching practices to design and deliver leadership training and consult on policy initiatives for firms and organizations. Further, she imagines, negotiates, and drives policy through legislation in St. Louis County.
Her coaching style is direct and empowering. She blends deep listening with good humor, and leans into her sharp instincts to ask powerful questions that support her clients in imagining and executing practices and habits that help them achieve their professional and personal intentions.
Kelli earned her BA in History from Southern Illinois University and her law degree from the University of California, Los Angeles School of Law. She is a certified graduate of Volta’s ICF-accredited coach training program, an ICF-ACC, a member of the California Bar and an elected member of the St. Louis County Council.
Outside of work, Kelli is mom to Bella and Liam, lover of happy hour and brunch, avid reader and aspiring novelist, world traveler, and infinitely curious about magick…
Awards, Publications & Presentations:
Presenter
“Building Back Belonging: Strategies for Fostering Associate Engagement.”
PDI Conference, November 2022. Washington, DC.
Kelli Dunaway & Kendra Brodin
“Feedback with Emotional Intelligence.”
NALP Bulletin. June 2022.
Panelist
“Hot Topics for Women in the Law.”
Women in the Legal Profession. May 21, 2021.
Panelist
“2020 Legislative Update.”
Bar Association of Metropolitan St. Louis. April 9, 2021.
Advocacy Award
Women’s Foundation of Greater St. Louis. August 13, 2020.
Kelli Dunaway & Tishaura Jones
“It’s time to change the conversation about childcare.”
St. Louis Business Journal. June 3, 2020.
Kelli Dunaway
“Preparing the Next Generation to Lead.”
Law Practice. November 2019.
Kelli Dunaway
“Running for St. Louis County Council with an Eye toward Equity.”
St. Louis American. July 18, 2019.
Kelli Dunaway
“Innovating in Training.”
Professional Development Quarterly. August 2018.
Panelist
“Women in the Workplace: Employment Scorecard Report.”
Women’s Foundation of Greater St. Louis & St. Louis Public Radio. August 2018, St. Louis, MO.
Kelli Dunaway
“Reinventing Associate Training.”
LinkedIn. May 2018.
Presenter
“Hacking the Wildebeest: Developing the Innovative Lawyer.”
NALP Conference. April 2017, San Francisco, CA.
Kelli Dunaway, Kelly Green
“Making the Most of Secondments.”
NALP Bulletin. June 2016.
Presenter
“Retention and Engagement Strategies That Align with Today’s Idea of Professional Satisfaction.”
NALP Conference, April 2016. Boston, MA.
Presenter
“Building a Business of Law Academy.”
PDC Conference, July 2015. San Francisco, CA.
Kelli Dunaway
“Residencies Offer Cure for Associate Problem.”
National Law Journal. October 28, 2013.
