Quick Wiki
- Full Name Colleen Kelly
- Occupation Television host, Producer
- Nationality American
- Birthplace Chicago, Illinois, USA
Colleen Kelly | Biography
Creator and executive producer of NBC Chicago’s '24/7 Secrets of the City' seriesAfter experiencing across the United States and exploring more than 20 countries abroad, Kelly realized the need for a new travel experience that centers around the family. As a result, she launched a 30-minute television show called 'Family Travel with Colleen Kelly 'that aired nationally on PBS in 2013. She also serves as an executive producer of the national Emmy-nominated show.
Colleen Kelly is an American television personality best known for hosting the PBS reality-TV show Family Travel with Colleen Kelly.
Who is Colleen Kelly?
Colleen Kelly began her career as a creator and executive producer of NBC Chicago’s ‘Emmy Award’-winning 24/7 Secrets of the City series. She also worked as the vice president of sales for the series.
Kelly currently serves as the host and executive producer of the national Emmy-nominated PBS hit reality-TV series Family Travel with Colleen Kelly. The series has 19.6 million viewers in over 94% of the USA as of 2021.
In addition to her hit show, Kelly is the host and executive producer of the radio show Round Trip with Colleen Kelly on the Chicago News/Talk radio station, WLS-AM. She also serves as the digital contributor to National Geographic and Travel + Leisure.
According to her official website bio of WLS-AM, she has delivered more than 50 million impressions via various media platforms such as radio, television, print, and digital media.
Furthermore, Kelly served as the senior vice president of sponsorship sales and business development of Kelly Media Productions from November 2010 to February 2021. The company works with National Geographic to produce YouTube series and social media takeovers.
Early Bio
Colleen Kelly was born in Chicago, Illinois, to her father, an employee at Hertz, and her mother, a schoolteacher. Growing up in a Catholic family, Kelly attended St. Thomas the Apostle School in Phoenix. After that, she went to Mary, Seat of Wisdom Catholic School in Park Ridge, Illinois.
Kelly received a bachelor’s degree in Journalism from The University of Texas at Austin in Austin, Texas. Later, she graduated with an M.S. (master of science) degree in integrated marketing communication with the highest honors from Roosevelt University.
As per her LinkedIn bio, she is currently pursuing a master’s degree in international relations certificate, and international relations graduate degree in extension studies from Harvard University as of 2021.
‘Family Travel with Colleen Kelly’
After experiencing across the United States and exploring more than 20 countries abroad, Kelly realized the need for a new travel experience that centers around the family. As a result, she launched a 30-minute television show called Family Travel with Colleen Kelly that aired nationally on PBS in 2013.
According to the show’s description, Kelly explores exciting family destinations throughout the United States and abroad and shares her expert travel tips and insights to create easier and memorable family vacations. She also offers her personalized, “exclusive” behind-the-scenes tour while showcasing local cuisine, history, adventure, and travel tips in each episode of the show.
Husband and Daughters
Kelly’s marriage didn’t affect her passion for adventure and traveling as she traveled the world before and after her marriage. She even traveled together with her family after her marriage and having children.
Kelly is married to her husband Greg, and they together have two daughters named Dunavan and Shea.
The family appears together on Family Travel with Colleen Kelly. They explore family-friendly fun and educational activities in familiar and unfamiliar places in the United States and abroad.
Sister
Kelly has one sister named Catie Keogh. The sister duo has collaborated on several projects. They co-created and co-hosted Trip Sisters, a radio show on WLS-AM and national podcast on iTunes.
Keogh also served as co-executive producer for Family Travel with Colleen Kelly and digital contributor for National Geographic and Travel + Leisure.
Keogh has been a two-time ‘Emmy Award’-winning broadcaster. Kelly won a regional ‘Emmy Award’ for ‘Best Magazine Program’ as Executive Producer/Host and an ‘Emmy Award’ for ‘On-Air Talent/Host’ for NBC Chicago’s 24/7 City Secrets. She also has garnered additional 12 ‘Emmy Award’ nominations.
Furthermore, Keogh is the founder of Let’s Go with Catie Keogh, a community dedicated to empowering women to travel the world.
