Katie Kelly OAM PLY is a Diversity and Inclusion Advocate and, a 2x Paralympian who was the first Australian to win a Gold medal in the sport of Paratriathlon at the Rio Paralympics in 2016. She was also the World Champion in 2015 and 2017 and retired after competing at the Tokyo 2020 Paralympics.
In 2017, Katie established the registered charity, Sport Access Foundation, which provides sporting grants to young Australians living with a disability, to improve their access to, and inclusion in, sport. Since its inception, the impact and significance of Katie's incentive of this Foundation has resulted in over 500 children applying for grants across Australia.
Katie's journey of living with a genetic condition, known as Usher Syndrome, is one of tenacity and grit. The lived experience of the combination of profound hearing loss, and gradual eyesight loss, Katie speaks to the significant and confronting challenges of Ushers Syndrome.
By sharing stories that highlight the inequities and barriers faced by those with a disability in the workplace and sport, Katie delivers her incredible perspective to enlighten and empower you to have a positive impact in our communities. Katie is an individual with a strong sense of social justice. Her insight and message of inclusivity and access extends to include First Nations People as well as those with a disability.
Katie’s career includes marketing and communications with organisations such as the NRL, ANZ Stadium, NT Government and Tabcorp. Currently she sits on a number of committees and board, including as an Industry Fellow with Griffith University’s Re-Imagining Disability Inclusive Council. She has worked as an Ambassador for Deaf Sports Australia, Blind Sports Australia and Sport Inclusion Australia in launching the newly formed National Sporting Alliance for People with a Disability which includes 9 disability sport member organisations.
She is also co-Patron of the Australian 2024 Deaf Games, and continues her work as Founder and Director of Sport Access Foundation. Her work includes a contract role in Social Inclusion for a 200 ASX listed company.
Katie has a BA from Griffith University and Masters of Business from University of Technology, Sydney.
