Kelly MonahanSpeaker and Booking Agent Information

Kelly Monahan, Ph.D., is a leading organizational psychologist, researcher, keynote speaker, and authority on the future of work, AI, and human-centered leadership. She serves as Managing Director of the Upwork Research Institute, where she leads research on workforce trends, distributed teams, generative AI, and talent strategy. With a Ph.D. in organizational leadership, Monahan’s work combines empirical research with practical insights. Her research appears in Harvard Business Review, MIT Sloan Management Review, and the Journal of Strategic Management. She is a TEDx speaker and is frequently quoted in major media on how technology is reshaping jobs and organizations. She is the co-author of “Essential: How Distributed Teams, Generative AI, and Human-Powered Leadership Can Win in the New World of Work” (2025) and author of “Reclaim the Plot: How Leaders Rewrite the Story When AI Rewrites Work” (2026), which helps leaders navigate AI-driven disruption while preserving human value. Previously, she held roles at Accenture and Deloitte, focusing on future-of-work strategy. Monahan advises executives, delivers workshops, and co-founded Beyond the Desk. She is recognized for her optimistic yet realistic view that AI and distributed work create opportunity when paired with strong, human-focused leadership.