Kelly Farrell
About Kelly Farrell
Kelly Farrell serves as the Associate Director of Policy Programs & Evaluation at KPMG Australia, bringing over twenty years of experience in the higher education sector. Previously, she held various managerial roles at La Trobe University, where she developed expertise in research impact and strategic communications.
Work at KPMG Australia
Kelly Farrell serves as the Associate Director for Policy Programs & Evaluation at KPMG Australia. She has held this position since 2021, working in the Canberra CBD area. In her role, she focuses on developing and evaluating policy programs, leveraging her extensive experience in the higher education sector to inform her work.
Previous Roles at La Trobe University
Prior to her current role at KPMG, Kelly Farrell held several positions at La Trobe University. She worked as Manager of Strategic Initiatives in the Office of the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Research) from 2017 to 2018, and as Senior Manager of Research Impact from 2018 to 2020. Additionally, she served as Senior Manager of External Engagement (Campaign Operations) and Acting Senior Advisor in the Office of the Vice-Chancellor during 2019. Her tenure at La Trobe University spanned various roles that contributed to her expertise in research and strategic initiatives.
Education and Expertise
Kelly Farrell holds a Bachelor's Degree in English (Hons)/Sociology from The Australian National University, which she completed from 1995 to 1997. She furthered her education at the University of Melbourne, earning a Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) in English/Cultural Studies from 1998 to 2003. Her academic background supports her expertise in communication, particularly in the higher education sector.
Skills in Communication and Engagement
Kelly Farrell is recognized for her ability to deliver clear and compelling writing, particularly in complex areas such as research impact and philanthropic support. She has a strong focus on creating strategic communications for leaders, which includes speech and letter writing aimed at enhancing performance. Her extensive experience in the higher education sector allows her to effectively engage with senior executives, academic staff, and researchers.
Background in Higher Education
With over twenty years of experience in the higher education sector, Kelly Farrell has developed a keen understanding of the dynamics within universities. Her work has involved close collaboration with senior executives and various staff members, allowing her to gain insights into the operational and strategic needs of academic institutions.