Kelly J. Watson is a transformational leader with more than 30 years of business experience.
In May 2019, Kelly retired from KPMG LLP after spending 32 years at the public accounting firm, where she held roles of increasing responsibility and leadership. She is currently consulting with a number of companies in the areas of governance and risk as well as advising government agencies in the economic development arena.
From 2016 to 2019, she served as National Service Group Leader of KPMG’s U.S. and Americas Risk Consulting Practice, leading a team of more than 4,900 partners and professionals who provide the risk and compliance insights organizations need to protect themselves and grow. Prior to this position, Kelly spent six years as the Office Managing Partner of the firm’s New Jersey business unit, which houses more than 1,100 people who serve the state’s largest companies and mid-market clients. Kelly has been a global lead partner and account executive on a number of Fortune 100 clients.
Elected in 2013 by her fellow partners for a five-year term on the KPMG LLP Board of Directors, Kelly served as the Board’s Lead Director from 2017 to 2018, chaired the Board Process & Evaluation Committee and the Nominating Committee, and she also sat on the Partnership & Employer of Choice Committee.
Kelly’s international experience includes more than two years in the KPMG Czech Republic member firm’s Prague office. During her time abroad, Kelly served on several global accounts and helped establish and develop the Central and Eastern European practice-training program.
A fierce advocate for developing leaders in the firm, the accounting profession, and the community, Kelly is a frequent speaker on business and leadership issues, and she is also active in philanthropic activities. She initiated KPMG’s relationship with the United Nations Millennium Village Program. Currently, Kelly serves as chairman of the board of W.O.M.E.N. in America and on the Sponsorship Committee for the Committee of 200 (C200). She chairs the New Jersey Women’s “Network-to-Network” organization. She is a Foreign Policy Association Fellow and is also a chair for the Finance Council for St. Bartholomew the Apostle Church. She is on the Advisory Council of The New Agenda and the Advisory Board of World Childhood Foundation. She has also served on the Board of Directors for the New Jersey Chamber of Commerce, the Girl Scouts of the Heart of NJ and was on the Liberty Science Center’s Women’s Leadership Council.
Kelly’s exceptional leadership is routed in the power of purpose and ensuring that people feel valued and appreciated. She has been widely recognized for her leadership. Notable recognitions include: Planned Parenthood for “People Who Make a Difference,” Consulting Magazine’s Top 25 winner for Excellence in Leadership, Executive Women of New Jersey as an influential policymaker, YMCA Tribute to Women in Business Award, the Boy Scouts “Woman of the Year,” Helen Keller Women Who Make a Difference, Diversity Inc. Women Worth Watching, Garden State “Woman of the Year,” and NJBIZ’s one of the Best 50 Women in Business.
Kelly received a BS from Fordham University in public accounting and finance. She is a certified public accountant in New York and New Jersey, and a member of the New York and New Jersey Society of Certified Public Accountants and the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants.
Kelly and her husband, Derek, reside in New Jersey and are the proud parents of two children, Victoria and William.
