Kelly Brightwell
Managing Director, Khemistry
Kelly Brightwell is creative thinker, natural problem solver and a bit of a geek. After 16 years in Marketing roles across tourism, retail and finance, she made the leap into advertising in 2022. Since then Kelly has headed up Khemistry's strategy team, taken out first place in Queensland's Award School and more recently, become Khemistry's Managing Director. She's passionate about fusing creativity and behavioural science to solve some of society's biggest problems. When she's not working, Kelly is Mum to two little humans who hate ads.
Career & Background
What inspired you to do what you are doing now?
As a child, I drove my mother crazy asking “why?”. Eventually I found a way to get paid for it. I love solving problems and advertising allows me to do that every day.
Where are you headed in your career right now?
I loved being a marketers but always felt like I stepped out of the process once the fun started. I’ve really enjoyed the move into advertising and have dipped my toe into both strategy and creative over the last couple of years. Right now I’m in a learning phase of my career. My new(ish) role as MD comes with a shift in gears and different types of challenges to solve. I’m really enjoying building a strong culture and setting the vision for our agency.
Your favourite food for thought
Give us your top three books to read for someone at a career crossroads.
- Ikigai – Hector Garcia and Francesc Miralles
- Surrounded by Idiots – Thomas Erikson
- Faster than Normal – Peter Shankman (fantastic if you have ADHD)
Podcasts / Thought Leaders
- What the Flux – for bite sized, easy to understand news updates from the business world
- Sweathead – strat chat by Aussie in NY Mark Pollard
- Diary of a CEO – Interesting conversations with interesting people
What drives and inspires you
What are your core values?
- Courage
- Gratitude
- Making a difference
Who is your biggest inspiration and why?
My biggest inspiration is my Mum. She was one of Queensland’s first female police officers and was required to resign when she fell pregnant. Despite this, she re-enlisted after having her family and worked her way back up from the very bottom juggling parenting and full time shift work. She taught me hard work, tenacity and the importance of being present in the moment (whether that be at work or home).
You as a Mentor
Why have you decided to become a mentor?
I’ve been mentored by some amazing people throughout my career. I want to pay that forward.
What are the top 5 skills or qualities you bring to mentoring?
- Asking powerful questions
- Collaborative
- Empathic
- Intuitive
- Passionate
Ready to apply?
The best time is right now. Take a chance – you never know where an Assisterhood mentor can take you.