Kelly Folks has over 25 years of experience working to develop programming specifically designed to serve the hardest-to-serve populations, with the past 22 years focused on the Workforce Development System. Kelly is currently the Director of the Division of Employment and Training for the Colorado Department of Labor and Employment. Prior to that, she served as the Director of the Arapahoe/Douglas Works! Workforce Board/Center for 5 years.
Kelly is viewed as a leader at the local, regional, state, and national levels, focusing on developing human capital to ensure a positive impact on economic vitality. She has represented Colorado through technical assistance calls on system building and change, both in-state and across the country.
Kelly serves on the Executive Team for the Rocky Mountain Workforce Development Association, is the Region 4 Liaison for the National Association of Workforce Boards and is the Vice-Chair for the Employment and Training Committee with NASWA. She previously served as the Region 8 Board Representative for the National Association of Workforce Development Professionals.
Before her work in workforce development, Kelly spent 5 years in the non-profit sector, where she focused on local community development initiatives. She is a Colorado native and a graduate of Metropolitan State University.