Kelly Anne Harris, owner of one of Owensboro’s Keller Williams Elite Realty groups, has built a thriving business that is expanding and building a new office on Highway 54. But Harris balances her successful career with giving back to the community in which she works.
“Money is only as good as the good it can do,” Harris said.
Currently, Harris is coming to the end of a 10-day trip to Uganda, where she has been working with the Give A Goat foundation, founded by Scott and Meg Panella, who are also owners of Keller Williams of Louisville East.
According to their website, Give A Goat’s mission is to supply dairy goats, supplies, housing, education and support to Christian based organizations located in Uganda, like malnutrition clinics, rural hospitals, orphanages and medical outreach homes.
Harris said partnering with the Panellas was heavy on her heart lately and she felt called to make the trip to Uganda.
“I think coming out of your comfort zone is good to do to keep you grounded and humble and to appreciate the little things we have,” Harris said. “Do we really have it that bad compared to them?”
In preparation for the trip, Harris asked the community to help with donations and supplies. The entire group traveling to Uganda, which included other Keller Williams employees, was able to raise over $19,000 in donations.
But Harris is not new to raising money for a cause she believes in. Puzzle Pieces Executive Director Amanda Owen said Harris, who is the co-chair of the organization’s board, has been critical in moving Puzzle Pieces forward.
“She and I think big and think, if there is a need, why can’t we do it?” Owen said. “She inspires me and makes me dream bigger.”
Harris holds an annual Puzzle Pieces fundraiser, and in the last three years has raised over $30,000.
“She is an inspiration who continues to put others’ needs before her own,” Owen said. “Her vision to think big and empower others to change a community, and even the world, is moving.”
And when Harris learned her friend, Jennifer Simpson, had breast cancer in early 2017, she again stepped up in a big way.
“A common response I would get asked from people is ‘what can I do’ or ‘call me if you need anything,’” Simpson said. “But Kelly didn’t do that. Instead what she did was far beyond anything I could’ve ever dreamed of.”
Joining forces with more of Simpson’s friends, Harris came up with the unique idea — whoever raised the most money to help with their friend’s medical bills would have to shave their head with Simpson, who would eventually undergo chemo.
On the final day of fundraising, the group of friends held a benefit at Klutch barbershop. They had reached about $25,000 at that point, but by the end of the benefit, an additional $10,000 came in. Four of the five friends, including Harris, shaved their heads with Simpson.
“The best feeling to get when you’re termed clinically sick is knowing you have a best friend that loves giving from the heart, and always has your best interest in mind,” Simpson said. “That’s one thing Kelly did for me through my journey. She always made sure to show how much she loved me, how far she was going to go for me and ultimately she showed me what true friendship really is.”
