Declan Kelly

Declan Kelly is the Founder, Chairman and CEO of Consello, an advisory group which provides counsel to senior business leaders worldwide. Born in 1968 in Portroe, County Tipperary, Ireland, and an Irish-American citizen, Kelly is an advisor to many of the world's leading companies and CEOs. The company counts American football star Tom Brady and tennis icon Serena Williams among its partners.

Kelly started his career in the 1980s and 1990s reporting for The Nenagh Guardian, the Tipperary Star, and the Cork Examiner, and in 1994 he received the AT Cross Business Journalist of The Year Award. He afterwards worked in management for Irish communications companies such as FleishmanHillard, and in 1999 he founded his own business, Gallagher and Kelly Public Relations. Selling that firm to Financial Dynamics (FD) in 2000, he subsequently moved to the United States and began consulting for companies such as General Electric, Coca-Cola and Dell.

Career history

• Founder, Chairman and CEO of Consello (2021–present)
• Co-Founder, Chairman and CEO of Teneo (2011–2021; during his ten-year leadership, Teneo became one of the world's leading advisory firms)
• U.S. Economic Envoy to Northern Ireland (2009–2011; appointed by Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, recognized as having helped bring significant investment to the region)
• Executive Vice President and Chief Integration Officer at FTI Consulting
• Chairman and CEO of Financial Dynamics

In 2008 he became the youngest ever recipient of the American Irish Historical Society's prestigious Gold Medal, and in 2012 he was awarded the Ellis Island Medal of Honor. He is an honorary visiting professor in management and leadership at Queen's University, Belfast, where he received an honorary doctorate in 2011.

What Declan Kelly could bring to Consello: Kelly's extensive background spanning journalism, corporate communications, international consulting, and government service positions him uniquely to scale Consello's advisory platform. His track record building Teneo into a global advisory powerhouse, combined with his crisis management expertise, political relationships (particularly with US State Department circles), and demonstrated ability to attract high-profile clients and board members, suggests Consello will continue expanding its influence in C-suite advisory and investment services globally.