Lydia Kelley
Senior Research Associate
Lydia Kelley is committed to advancing equitable and inclusive policy systems through social change. She holds a dual Master of Science in Higher Education from Cal State Fullerton and a Master of Public Policy from UCLA. Her area of interest explores how higher education and workforce systems can better support marginalized communities through research-driven policy solutions.
At Daley Strategies, Kelley is a Senior Research Associate who supports Happy Trails for Kids, the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI), and the City of Palm Springs communications. For NAMI, she has drafted advocacy briefs for the LA County Board of Supervisors and met with all supervisor offices on legislative priorities. For the City of Palm Springs, she has supported the Section 14 reparations newsletter and helped develop the city's comprehensive crisis communications plan. Lydia has successfully submitted and received a Federal appropriations recommendation for $500k from Senator Padilla's office for Happy Trails. Her work is grounded in advancing access for foster youth by supporting the Executive Director and funding the first-ever permanent campsite in Los Angeles.
Most notably, she has served as Co-President of the Public Policy Leadership Association (PPLA) at UCLA, leading engagements centered on leadership development and professional networking for graduate students. Her history in public service includes receiving a Certificate of Special Recognition from Congresswoman Norma Torres, the CSUF Graduate Equity Fellowship, and the UCLA Graduate Opportunity Fellowship.
Her experience also includes working for Congresswoman Katie Porter and Congresswoman Norma Torres in their district offices, as well as serving as Student Body President and two-term Sigma Kappa Chapter President at CSUF, where she represented the sorority's National Council's advocacy priorities on Capitol Hill in Washington, D.C. Most recently, she was selected to represent the UC Systemwide graduate student body in D.C. on graduate student advocacy priorities. As a woman of color, Kelley is passionate about empowering the next generation of changemakers by driving social progress through policy innovation, media influence, and community impact.
In her free time, Lydia enjoys commercial improv acting, going to the gym, and planning travel adventures with her friends.