Licensing & Ventures Group

Kelly Ard joined UVA Advancement in August 2024 from Auburn University, where she served since July 2015 in the Office of Corporate and Foundation Relations. She focused on developing strategic corporate relationships to maximize engagement and philanthropic support. In that role, Kelly worked with institutional leaders, faculty, and administrators across the university to identify mutually beneficial partnerships to advance the institution’s mission and initiatives. By aligning university initiatives with corporate and industry demands, Kelly facilitated collaborative approaches to corporate partnerships leveraging workforce demands, economic development, and impact. With a mission to seek and secure financial support from corporate and foundation entities, she assisted with identifying new partnerships and establishing a seamless experience for companies and foundations to engage with the university. 

Most recently, Kelly served at the Director of Development for the College of Liberal Arts at Auburn University, leading the fundraising efforts for the college including managing, mentoring and coaching development officers and coordinators; implementing strategic stewardship and engagement plans; and working with the dean to ensure that all the college’s development and fundraising goals were met. Additionally, Kelly also served as a major gift fundraiser for the college and managed a robust portfolio.

Prior to joining Auburn University, Kelly was a firm administrator and paralegal facilitating corporate transactions and interests, driving business development initiatives, corporate outreach efforts, and aligning corporate/501c3 development needs with social responsibility efforts – among other areas within the legal field including criminal, family, and insurance defense law. In 2013, she established her own client base and assisted numerous companies and local businesses with community outreach and fundraising initiatives.

Throughout her career at Auburn University, Kelly has instructed (intermittently) the Paralegal Certification Course in the Office of Professional & Continuing Education – Auburn University Outreach. 

Kelly received a bachelor’s degree in history from James Madison University, with a minor in Italian language and studies. Her husband, Dalton, is a small business owner in the Auburn area. They have a nine-year-old son, Aplin.

To learn more about UVA Corporate Relations, click here.