Kelly is a key member to the most important addition to Rockford’s downtown in four decades.

Kelly is the director of catering sales for the new Embassy Suites by Hilton Riverfront & Rockford, which finally opened at the beginning of July. The former Amerock manufacturing plant now is a 160-room hotel featuring the area’s first convention center.

After graduating from Harlem, Kelly earned a bachelor’s degree in parks, recreation and leisure studies from Western Illinois University. After working at WQRF TV for two years, Kelly started her hotel career in 2008, first working for the Best Western Clock Tower Resort and then the Hilton Garden Inn.

Kelly joined the Embassy Suites staff in October.