Kelly Ottman PhD

About

The intersections of Dr. Kelly Ottman’s professional accomplishments, educational history, service experience, and personal mission position her to make a positive difference to the health and success of a corporation.  As an executive, she successfully led complex organizations.  For the past 25 years, her focus has been on developing leaders, often executive teams.  Her multi-disciplinary academic leadership training includes a two-year executive development fellowship.  An understanding of board functions emerges from her serving on various professional, educational and not-for-profit boards, as well as reporting to and consulting for boards.  Dr. Ottman’s knowledge, skills and experiences center on the growth of individuals, teams and organizations.  Key areas of expertise and impact include leadership and team development, mission and value clarification, strategic planning, organizational culture, diversity, equity and inclusion, employee engagement, change management, leadership lifecycle development (including retirement),global mindsets and business in Asia, with specific focal points of China and India. She is also an award-winning educator with university and regional teaching awards. 

CONSULTING EXPERIENCE 

As an independent consultant, Dr. Ottman works with local, national and international executive leaders, management groups and boards of directors from an array of industries and professions. These range from executive steel workers to executive nuns.  She has conducted on-site consultation and education with Asia-Pacific leaders and teams and facilitated strategic planning for businesses and professional organizations.  As an Executive Coach, she assists individuals in the areas of leadership and career development.  She is known for having courageous conversations, based in empathy, to promote effectiveness.  In 2021, she was named by the International Leadership Association as a leadership coach for WE Empower United Nations SGD Challenge and in 2024 she was named the Executive Leadership Coach Coordinator.

PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE 

MSOE University, Milwaukee, WI - 2007-present

Professor, Rader School of Business

Teach MBA, Master of Science in Engineering Management, and MBA Educational Leadership and Undergraduate students in the areas of leadership, organizational behavior, management and change. 

Developed the Doing Business with China Program, 2009-2019.  Partner with over 25 corporations and engage over 100 leaders locally and in China.  Signature is Servant Leadership Library Project in rural China.

Conducted research in China with government, state owned and multi-national executive leaders.

Taught at Lubeck University in Germany on the topic of Business with China, 2018.

Mentor faculty at Kalasalingam Academy of Research and Education University in India, 2021- present.

Taught MBAs and faculty Kalasalingam Academy of Research and Education University in India, 2022.

Serve(d) as Chair of University committees to include University Mission and Values, Faculty Development, Promotions, Faculty Grants, and International Servant Leadership.

University of Wisconsin Milwaukee, Milwaukee, WI – 2000-2008

Full-Time Instructor, Lubar School of Business

Taught in undergraduate and graduate programs and the Executive USA and China MBA degree programs. 

Conducted leadership seminars for industry leaders from around the world.

Awarded the University Outstanding Teaching Award for Academic Staff. 

Selected as University Center Scholar for Teaching and Learning.

Marquette University, Milwaukee, WI – 1995-2000

Full-time Lecturer, College of Business Administration

Taught EMBA, MBA and traditional undergraduate leadership and organizational behavior courses.

Design Team and Faculty, College of Professional Studies

Served on design team for the College of Professional Studies.

Taught adult learners leadership, ethics, organizational behavior and team development.

Horizon Home Care and Hospice, Milwaukee WI – 1991-1996

Vice President of Administrative Services

Facilitated health system integration (47% increase in system admissions in one year).

Developed and evaluated programs and services to meet client needs (1,100 total active clients).

Lead state and federal survey processes.

Facilitated multiple reorganization processes.

Lead self-managed teams in multiple hospital settings.

Interacted with Board of Directors.

BOARD EXPERIENCE

Service ON Boards

Girl Scouts of Wisconsin Southeast – 2024- present

Board Development

International Leadership Association – 2018-2020

Executive Committee, Leadership Development

FIRST Robotics – Wisconsin Advisory Board – 2011-2015

Executive Board Member and Chair of VIP Events

ALPS (Accelerated Learning Programs) Charter School, Oshkosh School District – 2005 - 2008

President of Board

Oshkosh Lighted School House, Oshkosh WI – 2009 – 2012

Board Member

Team Based Learning Collaborative (International Professional Organization) – 2009-2014

Board Member and Scholarship of Teaching and Learning Chair

Wisconsin Visiting Nurses Association Professional Advisory Board – 2001-2008

Board Member

Wisconsin Forward Award – 2001-2003

Board of Examiners

Association of HealthCare Executives – SE Wisconsin – 1989-2001

President, VP, Chair of Education, and Chair of Membership

Wisconsin Bio Ethics Network – 1993-1996

Board Member

National Therapeutic Recreation Society – 1986-1990

Board Member and Chair of Membership

Service TO Boards (select list of clients)

Advised board of directors in mission development, strategic planning, and board roles/functions.

Wisconsin Center for Performance Excellence 

Waukesha County Economic Development Corporation

Wisconsin College Admissions Councilor Association

Wisconsin FIRST Robotics and Oshkosh WAVE Robotics

EDUCATION

Ph.D. - Adult Education with an emphasis on Organizational Leadership, University of Wisconsin – Madison

M.P.A./M.A.  -  Public Policy and Administration and Health Service Administration, La Follette Institute of Public Affairs at University of Wisconsin - Madison

B.S. – Therapeutic Recreation, University of Wisconsin – La Crosse

PERSONAL

Dr. Kelly Ottman is a proud mother of two children (24-year-old and 31-year-old) and a grandmother.  She has a passion for exploring different cultures through travel and believes in diversity and inclusion from multiple perspectives (Awarded Friend of Rockwell Automation Asia Pacific in 2015).  She rejuvenates herself through gardening, yoga, camping, kayaking, and hosting gatherings of friends.  Aligned with Servant Leadership, she has been transformed through coordinating/engaging in local and international service projects. Locations have included China, Ghana, Mexico and Vietnam.  For over 25 years she coordinated a Christmas Eve program for the homeless in Milwaukee, WI. 

Global Executive Coach and Leadership Consultant. International expertise in China and India.  Builder of organizational cultures aligned with mission and values to promote employee engagement and organizational health.  Driver of Purpose Governance and Culture.

Board Profile

The intersections of Dr. Kelly Ottman’s professional accomplishments, educational history, service experience, and personal mission position her to make a positive difference to the health and success of a corporation.  As an executive, she successfully led complex organizations.  For the past 25 years, her focus has been on developing leaders, often executive teams.  Her multi-disciplinary academic leadership training includes a two-year executive development fellowship.  An understanding of board functions emerges from her serving on various professional, educational and not-for-profit boards, as well as reporting to and consulting for boards.  Dr. Ottman’s knowledge, skills and experiences center on the growth of individuals, teams and organizations.  Key areas of expertise and impact include leadership and team development, mission and value clarification, strategic planning, organizational culture, diversity, equity and inclusion, employee engagement, change management, leadership lifecycle development (including retirement),global mindsets and business in Asia, with specific focal points of China and India. She is also an award-winning educator with university and regional teaching awards. 

Board Experience

BOARD EXPERIENCE

Service ON Boards

• International Leadership Association – 2018-present
  • Executive Committee, Leadership Development
• FIRST Robotics – Wisconsin Advisory Board – 2011-2015
  • Executive Board Member and Chair of VIP Events
• ALPS (Accelerated Learning Programs) Charter School, Oshkosh School District – 2005 – 2008
  • President of Board
• Oshkosh Lighted School House, Oshkosh WI – 2009 – 2012
  • Board Member
• Team Based Learning Collaborative (International Professional Organization) – 2009-2014
  • Board Member and Scholarship of Teaching and Learning Chair
• Wisconsin Visiting Nurses Association Professional Advisory Board – 2001-2008
  • Board Member
• Wisconsin Forward Award – 2001-2003
  • Board of Examiners
• Association of HealthCare Executives – SE Wisconsin – 1989-2001
  • President, VP, Chair of Education, and Chair of Membership
• Wisconsin Bio Ethics Network – 1993-1996
  • Board Member
• National Therapeutic Recreation Society – 1986-1990
  • Board Member and Chair of Membership

Service TO Boards

As a consultant, Dr. Ottman has advised board of directors in mission development, strategic planning, and board roles/functions.  Below is a select list of clients.

• Wisconsin Center for Performance Excellence
• Waukesha County Economic Development Corporation
• Wisconsin College Admissions Councilor Association
• Wisconsin FIRST Robotics
• Oshkosh WAVE Robotics

Professional Summary

CONSULTING EXPERIENCE 

As an independent consultant, Dr. Ottman works with local, national and international executive leaders, management groups and boards of directors from an array of industries and professions. These range from executive steel workers to executive nuns.  She has conducted on-site consultation and education with Asia-Pacific leaders and teams and facilitated strategic planning for businesses and professional organizations.  As an Executive Coach, she assists individuals in the areas of leadership and career development.  She is known for having courageous conversations, based in empathy, to drive effectiveness.   Clients have included Brady Corp, Charter Steel, Direct Supply, Johnson Controls, Marquette University, Medical College of Wisconsin, Michigan Tech, National Business Furniture, Schneider National, Sensient, and Wauwatosa Public School District.

PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE 

• MSOE University, Milwaukee, WI – 2007-present
  • Professor, Rader School of Business
    • Teach MBA, Master of Science in Engineering Management, and MBA Educational Leadership and Undergraduate Honors students in the areas of leadership, organizational behavior and management.
    • Developed the Doing Business with China Program, 2009-2019. Partner with over 25 corporations and engage over 100 leaders locally and in China.  Signature is Servant Leadership Library Project in rural China.
    • Conducted research in China with government, state owned and multi-national executive leaders.
    • Taught at Lubeck University in Germany on the topic of Business with China, 2018.
    • Serve(d) as Chair of University committees to include University Mission and Values, Faculty Development, Promotions, Faculty Grants, and International Servant Leadership.
• University of Wisconsin Milwaukee, Milwaukee, WI – 2000-2008
  • Full-Time Instructor, Lubar School of Business
    • Taught in undergraduate and graduate programs and the Executive USA and China MBA degree programs.
    • Conducted leadership seminars for industry leaders from around the world.
    • Awarded the University Outstanding Teaching Award for Academic Staff.
    • Selected as University Center Scholar for Teaching and Learning.
• Marquette University, Milwaukee, WI – 1995-2000
  • Full-time Lecturer, College of Business Administration
    • Taught EMBA, MBA and traditional undergraduate leadership and organizational behavior courses.
    • Design Team and Faculty, College of Professional Studies
    • Served on design team for the College of Professional Studies.
    • Taught adult learners leadership, ethics, organizational behavior and team development.

INDUSTRY EXPERIENCE 

• Horizon Home Care and Hospice, Milwaukee WI – 1991-1996
  • Vice President of Administrative Services
    • Assured profit margins and increased growth ($12 million budget).
    • Facilitated health system integration (47% increase in system admissions in one year).
    • Developed and evaluated programs and services to meet client needs (1,100 total active clients).
    • Lead state and federal survey processes.
    • Facilitated multiple reorganization processes.
    • Lead self-managed teams in multiple hospital settings.
    • Interacted with Board of Directors.

EDUCATION

• Ph.D. – Adult Education with an emphasis on Organizational Leadership, University of Wisconsin – Madison
• M.P.A./M.A.  –  Public Policy and Administration and Health Service Administration, La Follette Institute of Public Affairs at University of Wisconsin – Madison
• B.S. – Therapeutic Recreation, University of Wisconsin – La Crosse

Recognition & Awards

Executive Coaching

• Top 19 Coaches In Milwaukee in 2022 by Influence Digest https://influencedigest.com/coaching/top-coaches-milwaukee-2022/
• Named Executive Coach for WE Empower UN SDG Challenge  World Region: Greater Middle East and North Africa.  Named through International Leadership Association, 2021-22

Teaching Awards 

• Accreditation Council for Business Schools and Programs (AACSB) - Teaching Excellence Award, 2023
• University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, Outstanding Teaching Award for Academic Staff, 2005
• Concordia University, Outstanding Teaching Award, 2000

Service Awards

• Library Project, Hunan, China, June 2017
  • Recognized by The Library Project, a non-profit organization that donates books and libraries to under financed schools in China and Vietnam (http://www.library-project.org), for providing Servant Leadership in China since 2010.
• Rockwell Automation Asia Pacific (RAAP)
  • Received the Friend of RAPP Award on Sept 22, 2015.  The award was given to “An individual who has supported the RAAP objective of Learn, Share, Empower by going above and beyond in their contribution, to bring value to Rockwell Automation and employees through partnering with RAAP.“

Personal

Kelly is a proud mother of two children and a grandmother.  She has a passion for exploring different cultures through travel and believes in diversity and inclusion from multiple perspectives.  She host international students in her home on a regular basis. She rejuvenates herself through gardening, yoga, camping, kayaking, and hosting gatherings of friends.  Aligned with Servant Leadership, she has been transformed through coordinating/engaging in local and international service projects. Locations have included China, Ghana, Mexico and Vietnam.  For over 25 years she has coordinated a Christmas Eve program for the homeless in Milwaukee, WI.