Kelly Murphy has joined the nonprofit SevenDays as its new executive director. Murphy will oversee SevenDays, providing strategic, operational and fundraising leadership to advance the organization’s mission.
SevenDays is a Kansas-City based nonprofit organization that promotes kindness and understanding through education and dialogue. SevenDays was founded in 2014 after a white supremacist murdered Reat Underwood, his grandfather Dr. William Corporon and Terri LaManno outside of Jewish organizations in Overland Park. Underwood’s mother and Dr. Corporon’s daughter, Mindy Corporon, is a co-founder.
“We are thrilled to welcome Kelly as Executive Director,” Corporon said. “Kelly will help lead us to the next level in our kindness efforts. Her experience, passion for community service, and commitment to our mission will help us continue our important work of spreading kindness.”
“The board looks forward to working with her as we move forward into our second decade of overcoming hate through kindness opportunities,” said Alana Muller, SevenDays board president.
“I am honored to be selected as executive director at SevenDays,” Murphy said. “I look forward to working with the amazing team, board, volunteers and supporters to build on the success and recognition that SevenDays has achieved since its founding in 2014. I am excited about the opportunity to build and offer programs that have wide-reaching impact and reach as they ripple through individuals, communities, and the world at large.”
Murphy brings a background in human resources to SevenDays. Recently, Murphy served as chief human resources officer for Swope Health. Previously, Murphy was senior HR director at Evergy, Inc., leading a 40-member team in implementing HR programs.
In addition to her professional work experience, Murphy has given her time and talent to numerous nonprofit organizations, gaining experience that she brings to her new role at SevenDays.
Murphy has been a volunteer for several nonprofit organizations, including serving as board chair for Kansas City Friends of Alvin Ailey, and she has been on the advisory boards of Health Forward’s Diverse Health Sciences Pathways Initiative and the Great Jobs KC Healthcare Advisory Committee. Murphy earned a Bachelor of Arts degree from Bucknell University. Murphy has lent her talents to other organizations, including the Chamber of Commerce of Greater Kansas City, the Women’s Employment Network, the University of Missouri-Kansas City Bloch School of Management, and the Central Exchange. Additionally, she is an active member and serves on various committees at Resurrection – A United Methodist Church.
Murphy has been recognized for her efforts, including being selected for the Civic Council of Greater Kansas City’s Kansas City Tomorrow Program, the FBI Citizens’ Academy, and being named as a Woman of Achievement by the Evergy Women’s Business Resource Group.
Promoting kindness is a key component of SevenDays work. Murphy looks forward to leading the nonprofit and the important work it accomplishes, especially working with youth.
“Young people are the leaders of the future. They are at a key age to identify their own value structure and what they can offer the world,” Murphy said. “There is so much goodness in youth that they can cultivate and share. Offering youth programs provides participants with channels to further develop their unique skills and kindness capabilities. Participants can also build a lasting and positive network of kindness champions and mentors.
“Kindness is all about connection and how we treat one another,” Murphy continued. “There is an element of grace in kindness, as it can be extended when it is not anticipated or expected. Even a small or simple gesture can brighten another’s day or lift another’s spirits. We can uplift others and create positive ripples by sharing kindness through our words and actions,”
More information about SevenDays is available at sevendays.org.