The road to leadership rarely comes with a clear map.

For Kelly Mackey MBA ’08 Chief Financial Officer at RTD, it started with curiosity and a quiet determination to figure things out one step at a time.

As a first-generation college student and a woman navigating fast-moving and often male-dominated spaces, she discovered early that growth comes from movement, whether it is through staying open-minded, asking questions, or finding confidence in the process of learning.

Over the years, that mindset has carried her from early career experiences to executive leadership in public service. It also directed her to redefine what it means to lead – trading perfection for purpose and finding meaning in motion.

Finding Direction as a First-Gen Student

Mackey remembers growing up in a small Midwestern town where opportunities felt limited. As a first-generation college student, she did not have the same early guidance that many of her peers received. “I saw the world and opportunity through a more limited lens before and during my undergraduate studies,” Mackey said.

She steadily expanded her idea of “possibility” as she progressed in courses, met with mentors, and embraced moments of discovery. What began as uncertainty evolved into confidence, driven by curiosity and the belief that she could always learn her way forward.

“There’s so much more available than the opportunities that you see right now, don’t be limited.”

– Kelly Mackey MBA ’08, Chief Financial Officer, RTD

That experience shaped how she leads today. Mackey knows the value of someone taking the time to guide or open a door, and she applies that lesson in her work with others. When asked what advice she would give to her younger self, she stated, “There’s so much more available than the opportunities that you see right now, don’t be limited.” Her words echo a truth many share, that opportunity expands when we dare to look beyond what’s visible today.

Opening Doors and Lowering Barriers

During her career, Mackey realized how deeply leadership can shape a person’s confidence. When others believed in her potential, it helped her see possibilities she hadn’t yet imagined. Additionally, one mentor promoted her into her first management role, while another brought her into key conversations that challenged her to think more broadly. Those experiences taught her that leadership is as much about creating space for others as it is about achieving results.

Over time, she also learned from examples of “what not to do.” Some leaders demonstrated the value of empowerment and uplift, while others revealed the consequences of neglecting these principles. Both kinds of lessons mattered.

The perspective she gained from those experiences goes beyond her own journey. Most professionals can identify a turning point as the moment someone believed in them before they could believe in themselves. Mackey often thinks about that type of encouragement as she leads her own teams today. “You learn as much from the leaders you don’t want to emulate as from those you do,” she said.

Her approach now centers on trust, authenticity, and inclusion to create an environment where others can grow through encouragement, opportunity, and genuine connection.

Leading with Authenticity

Have you ever felt like you had to get everything right before taking the next step?

Sometimes, the pressure to appear like you have it all together can be more overwhelming than you realize.

Mackey knows that feeling well. As a first-generation college student, she often felt that she had to prove herself at every turn, and each achievement came with the quiet pressure to succeed flawlessly. While that drive pushed her forward, it left little room for grace or vulnerability.

She later came to realize a hand-nosed mindset could hold her back. Feedback from a trusted friend pushed her to see leadership differently. As she put it, “I have learned to be more accepting of my shortcomings and that leadership is about authenticity, humility, and learning. I have become more comfortable with being imperfect.”

Mackey now focuses less on having all the answers and more on creating a space where listening, learning, and shared growth replace the pressure to perform.

Finding Purpose in Public Service

Every organization eventually faces a question of purpose. Beyond growth and results, what difference does one’s work make in people’s lives?

That question is what led Mackey to public service. After years in the private sector, she decided to bring her experience into a space where every decision directly impacts communities. Today, as the Chief Financial Officer at RTD, she focuses on using finance as a force for trust and access.

A desire for meaning and growth guided her move. In fact, Mackey saw public service as a chance to contribute to something larger and an opportunity to stretch her own leadership. She wanted to apply what she had learned in the private sector to more complex systems where financial strategy meets community impact and purpose drives progress.

Now, she describes her work as a continuous exchange between people, data, and mission. In that sense, each decision is a chance to build confidence, increase transparency, and make the numbers tell a story that communities can believe in.

“My biggest inspiration is my 11-year-old daughter. She motivates me to be my best every day, both personally and professionally.”

The Heart Behind the Work

Sometimes, the most significant sources of inspiration are closer than we think.

For Mackey, that source is her 11-year-old daughter, who reminds her every day why she strives to lead with purpose and integrity. “My biggest inspiration is my 11-year-old daughter,” she shared. “She motivates me to be my best every day, both personally and professionally.”

Mackey hopes to show her daughter what it looks like to work diligently, stay kind, and use one’s talents to make a difference. “When she sees me pursuing my dreams and leading with integrity, I hope that she learns she can do the same in her own life.”

That perspective keeps her grounded and intentional, serving as a reminder that legacy grows through everyday choices that reflect one’s values and vision.

A Life That Feels Whole

Titles and achievements can explain what a person does, but they rarely reveal who they are or what truly drives them.

For Mackey, fulfillment comes from living fully and staying curious. She has always believed that time is her most valuable resource, so she makes it count by trying new things, facing her fears, and continuing to grow in every season of life.

Outside of work, she spends her weekends skiing through the Rocky Mountains, hiking new trails, or training for her next marathon. And, family remains at the center of it all, grounding her and reminding her what really matters. She also finds joy in the relationships she builds along the way as she surrounds herself with people who inspire her to keep learning.

At her core, she describes herself as a listener and a connector who finds meaning in helping others grow and reach their potential. That outlook shapes how she leads, but it also reflects something poignantly relatable: success feels more meaningful when it leaves room for joy, curiosity, and connection.

 “Stay curious, take opportunities that stretch you, and focus on learning as much as you can. The clarity and confidence that you gain in those first few years will serve you for the rest of your career.”

Lessons for the Next Generation

It requires curiosity and taking the first step to embark on any path. For new students beginning their professions, that first step may be vague, but it is also where transformation begins.

Mackey emphasized the importance of being open and intentional in the first phase. “Stay curious, take opportunities that stretch you, and focus on learning as much as you can,” she reflected. “The clarity and confidence that you gain in those first few years will serve you for the rest of your career.”

She reminds young professionals that every role, even the imperfect ones, helps shape direction. Some experiences confirm where you want to go, while others teach what to leave behind. Either way, both move you forward.

In the end, leadership and learning follow the same path of motion. You grow, you adapt, and you find purpose along the way. For anyone starting out, Mackey’s story serves as a reminder: growth begins each time you choose to keep moving.