Envision a different future
Feeling stuck and burned out? What if you did something else.
Envision was started by Kelly Flanagan in 2025, for those seeking an alternative to today’s economic conditions. Whether underemployed or overworked, we need to make employment work for us. After all, it’s humanity’s creative power that fosters a prosperous world. Informed by her degree in economics, Kelly believes personal and societal success are not mutually exclusive. Rather, it’s by investing and being true to ourselves that we have thriving communities.
Kelly works to support individuals in achieving that thing they’ve been dreaming of. Let her help you seize your own creative prowess and take that next step toward having the life you really want.
“Whatever that may be for you, I believe you can do it. More than that, I believe we need you to.”
About Kelly
Kelly C. Flanagan is a writer, educator, and project manager with nearly twenty years of experience. Kelly earned an MA in International Relations & International Economics from the Johns Hopkins University, School of Advanced International Studies (SAIS), where she studied economics and international conflict. She also holds an MFA in Creative Writing & Publishing Arts from the University of Baltimore.
Writing
Kelly’s literary nonfiction essays have appeared in Welter, MUSE, Brink, and Consequence, among others. Her first memoir, Gatekeeping, was published in 2022. Kelly is currently a nonfiction reader for Consequence and working on her second memoir.
Application editing
Kelly provides editorial coaching for students of all ages seeking to apply for their Next Big Dream. Kelly has degrees from three universities (with scholarships) – private, public, and parochial. She attended three language programs abroad. She worked at two nonprofits administering and mentoring graduate recipients of the Fulbright award. After struggling through the transition from high school to college, and then a tricky transfer after freshman year, Kelly has committed to easing the process for students of all ages. Kelly demystifies the essay and application process for applicants, aids them in distilling their true goals, and coaches them in effective and compelling storytelling. Transitions at any age are challenging. Kelly’s calm demeanor, broad vocational experience, and passion for communications aids clients in focusing on their goal and captivating their audience.
Other professional experience
Kelly worked as an international Program Manager for 15 years, delivering high-quality, on-time, under-budget programs in 3 sectors – academia, nonprofit, and corporate. In her role as Assistant Director at the University of Maryland, she expanded funding for research projects and strategically advised leadership. Through business development and close teamwork with faculty, her team won $41 million in external funding within 2 years. As the financial manager for Mellon Foundation funding, her detailed stewardship increased funding from $1.25 million to $5.1 million (3 awards to 10) in 3 years.
At two nonprofits and a Fortune 500 company, Kelly directed international projects for social impact and cross-cultural understanding funded by federal grants and contracts. She successfully executed 14 international development awards totaling $40 million while coordinating with 10 country offices and 3 embassies in a 6 year period. Her global experience spans working for Kosovo energy sector reform, engaging civil society in the Middle East, and managing caseloads of Fulbright students from the Middle East, North Africa, Central and South America, and Canada.
Kelly is a researcher, analyst, and panelist. She analyzes complex data, quantifying challenging information and effectively depicting hard-to-capture analytics for broad audiences. Kelly distills key points while contextualizing issues within a broader context to produce trusted advising, compelling recommendations, and critical insights. Her academic publications include:
Flanagan, Kelly. “Ending Insurgency: Analyzing the Syrian Conflict.” Syria Comment, Joshua Landis, 19 Sept. 2013.
International Human Rights Clinic. “The Protection of the Rights of Migrant Domestic Workers in a Country of Origin and a Country of Destination: Case Studies of The Philippines and Kuwait.” The Protection Project at Johns Hopkins School of Advanced International Studies, 2013.
Education
Master of Fine Arts (MFA) Creative Writing & Publishing Arts, University of Baltimore
Master of Arts (MA) International Relations & International Economics, Johns Hopkins University, School of Advanced International Studies (SAIS)
Conflict Resolution and International Development focus
Bachelor of Science (BS) Political Science, Santa Clara University
Minor in Music Performance