An Inspired Chat with Laurin Kelly MPH, PMP of Silver Spring

We recently had the chance to connect with Laurin Kelly MPH, PMP and have shared our conversation below.

Hi Laurin, thank you for taking the time to reflect back on your journey with us. I think our readers are in for a real treat. There is so much we can all learn from each other and so thank you again for opening up with us. Let’s get into it: What is a normal day like for you right now?
Right now, a normal day is me waking up, getting my breakfast and coffee situated, and then settling into my remote office so that I can knock out some work before my meetings start. My days are usually very meeting heavy, with my most productive hours being in the morning and early afternoon. I am typically done with my workday around 4 or 5, and have recently started ensuring that I build in some time to decompress before heading downstairs to take care of household responsibilities as a mom and wife. In the evening, depending on the day, I cook dinner, play with or read to my toddler, watch some favorite shows, read, or play games with my family (which includes my 15 year old son, my 23 year old niece, and my husband).

Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
I’m Laurin Kelly, Founder and Principal Consultant of Battle Plan Strategic Consulting, a boutique consulting firm dedicated to helping mission-driven nonprofits, coalitions, and foundations thrive. My background is in healthcare, public health, and organizational leadership, and I’ve spent more than 15 years managing complex projects and building sustainable systems.

What makes Battle Plan special is our focus on equity and intentionality. We don’t believe in one-size-fits-all solutions. Instead, we partner with organizations to co-create strategies, processes, and structures that align with their mission, values, and community. Whether that means designing strategic plans, developing SOPs, improving project workflows, or building operational infrastructure, our work is always about amplifying impact and creating lasting change.

I also founded the Association of Black Women in Project & Program Management (ABWIPPM), a national membership-based nonprofit dedicated to elevating and supporting Black women in project leadership roles. It’s been powerful to see how this work intersects with my consulting practice—both center equity, access, and the belief that strong systems are essential to strong communities.

Right now, I’m excited about several big milestones, including being accepted into the Goldman Sachs 10,000 Small Businesses Program, joining the Standards for Excellence Licensed Consultant Class of 2025, being recognized as a finalist for my county’s Black in Business Awards, and speaking at the PMI WDC 2025 Annual Conference. These opportunities are not just personal wins but fuel for growing Battle Plan’s ability to help nonprofits and entrepreneurs scale with confidence.

At its core, my story is about resilience, equity, and empowerment. I launched Battle Plan to help organizations tackle their toughest operational challenges with clarity and compassion, so they can focus on what they do best—serving their communities.

Amazing, so let’s take a moment to go back in time. What was your earliest memory of feeling powerful?
I believe I am a natural-born leader, and that has been apparent since my youth. I am not sure I can definitively say my earliest memory of feeling powerful, but I do remember my most prominent memory as it relates to feeling impactful, and I feel like those two are closely related, even if not the exact same. I was selected as captain for my Varsity basketball team, and took that role very seriously. My teammates looked to me for guidance, and I tried my best to be a model for them both on and off the court. I liken this to present day, as my impact and transformational leadership at my consulting firm in managing my subcontractors is a huge contributor to our success.

If you could say one kind thing to your younger self, what would it be?
If I could say one kind thing to my younger self, it would be this: “You are enough, just as you are, and your voice matters—even in rooms where you feel unseen or underestimated.”

As a Black girl who is now a Black woman, there were times I felt I had to work twice as hard just to prove my worth or soften parts of myself to be accepted. At times I felt like I was “too much”, which is something I had to work hard to unlearn. I would remind my younger self that her identity is not a barrier, it is a source of strength. The resilience, creativity, and perspective that come from being a Black woman are gifts that fuel leadership and innovation.

I would tell her to walk confidently in that truth, to stop shrinking to make others comfortable, and to know that the very things that make her different are the things that will open doors, create change, and inspire others.

I think our readers would appreciate hearing more about your values and what you think matters in life and career, etc. So our next question is along those lines. What’s a belief or project you’re committed to, no matter how long it takes?
A belief I am committed to, no matter how long it takes, is that equity must be built into the very systems and structures that shape our communities. As a Black woman, I’ve seen firsthand how systemic barriers limit access to opportunity, especially for those doing the most important community work with the fewest resources. That conviction is what drives me every day through Battle Plan Strategic Consulting and through my leadership with the Association of Black Women in Project & Program Management.

I am deeply committed to the project of ensuring that mission-driven nonprofits and Black women leaders have the tools, systems, and support to not just survive, but thrive. Whether it’s building capacity for grassroots organizations, creating pathways for women in project management, or working to close the racial wealth gap through equitable business practices, I know this work will take time. But it’s work I will never stop doing because lasting change requires persistence, courage, and an unwavering belief in what is possible.

Thank you so much for all of your openness so far. Maybe we can close with a future oriented question. If you retired tomorrow, what would your customers miss most?
If I retired tomorrow, I think my customers would miss the way I bring clarity, structure, and calm to complex challenges. Many of the nonprofits and coalitions I work with are doing incredible, mission-driven work but often feel overwhelmed by limited resources, competing priorities, and unclear processes. What they value most is that I meet them where they are, help them organize the chaos, and co-create systems that actually work for their team and mission.

They would also miss my ability to see both the big picture and the details at the same time. Whether it’s building a strategic plan, developing SOPs, or implementing a project management system, I focus on sustainability so that the work continues long after my engagement ends.

Most of all, I believe they would miss having a partner who truly cares about their success. For me, it’s not just about deliverables, but instead about making sure leaders and their teams feel supported and confident to carry their mission forward.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.battleplansc.com
• Instagram: @battleplansc
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/battle-plan-strategic-consulting/