Making a difference in this complex world requires leaders to both skillfully execute their work and steadily train their minds.

At Both/And Leadership, we provide leaders with the tools and support needed to excel on both levels.

Both/And Leadership is an organization in service to people dedicated to making a difference in this world.

Drawing from more than 20 years of leadership experience in political campaigns and nonprofit advocacy, Kelly Burton founded Both/And Leadership to coach, train and teach today’s social impact leaders in the full suite of skills necessary to tackle today’s toughest challenges.

Making a difference in this complex world requires leaders to manage effectively, sustain personally, and achieve results under very difficult circumstances. Meeting these demands requires more than traditional skill development; it requires a comprehensive model of leadership development that cultivates both external skills as well as internal strength.

Kelly’s innovative model meets this need. Rooted in a “both/and” mindset that embraces the contradictions of modern leadership, Kelly’s approach develops the full suite of skills today’s social impact leaders need to achieve success at all levels.

A “both/and” approach means having the ability to hold competing truths simultaneously, a critical skill for leaders in today’s complex world.

A Both/And Leader can:

Both… Work hard|Take action|Celebrate our differences|Fight hard for social change|Have empathy and compassion|Be direct

And... Experience joy|Stay centered|Embrace our commonalities|Take care of our minds and bodies|Enforce boundaries|Be kind

Services:

Coaching:

Trained at Georgetown University’s Institute for Transformational Leadership and certified in the proven coaching techniques of the International Coaching Federation, Kelly provides high-level executive coaching to social impact leaders. She knows first-hand the difficulties today’s social impact leaders face, and she has a customized approach that meets the specific goals of each of her clients.

Working with Kelly as your leadership coach means having an experienced partner on your leadership journey, and she approaches every engagement with presence, curiosity, and a proven approach for successful outcomes. Kelly believes your inner wisdom is the source material for your greatest impact, and she knows how to help you access it.

 

Training:

Kelly is passionate about helping today’s leaders build capacity to both make a difference and sustain in the work. Whether this entails a one-time training, a multi-day retreat, or a long-term engagement, she trains leaders in the research-based best practices that enable them to sustain through the incredibly difficult but deeply rewarding work of social change.

With decades of practical experience in campaigns and advocacy, Kelly understands the high-stress, high-demand realities of this work and provides customized trainings that fit within these unique work environments.  

 

Teaching:
With so many urgent challenges facing our world, intentional training of the mind and body is critical for sustaining today’s leaders through the toughest challenges. Developing these skills is is no longer optional; they are a critical component of effective leadership. Kelly works with the proven skills of mindful leadership, and she teachers leaders how to incorporate the research-based practices for building inner strength directly into their lives and work.

 

Kelly Burton combines more than 20 years of leadership experience in political campaigns and nonprofit advocacy with transformational executive coaching and mindful leadership to bring a new model of leadership development to today’s social impact leaders.

While serving as president of the National Democratic Redistricting Committee (NDRC) and executive director of the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee (DCCC), Kelly worked closely with this nation’s top leaders to elect Democrats and achieve a more fair and just democracy. She has also held leadership roles on multiple House and Senate campaigns, directed a national nonprofit advocacy coalition that successfully achieved new federal legislation, and served in the administration of Arizona Governor Janet Napolitano. Kelly is also a current board member of multiple organizations within the democratic and progressive ecosystem.

In working for many years on the frontlines of our democracy, Kelly believes a critical component of achieving the promise of a multi-racial, representative democracy is to support the people who have dedicated their careers to social impact. As an experienced executive leader and transformational leadership coach, Kelly is committed to helping today’s social impact leaders both achieve high impact and sustain themselves in the crucial work of making a difference in this world.

Testimonials

Eric H. Holder, Jr.

82nd Attorney General of the United States, National Democratic Redistricting Committee Chairman

“Kelly comes to this work with a deep passion for fairness, equality and the promise of democracy, and that passion gets matched with a relentless positivity about what is possible.  The next generation of leaders working hard to enact change will benefit greatly from working with her and learning from her immense skills and experience.”

 

Steve Israel

Former U.S. Representative (D-NY) and Chairman of Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee; Director, Cornell Brooks School Institute of Politics and Global Affairs

“With so many challenges facing our world today, I believe there is nothing more important than helping leaders develop their minds as well as their skills. I am thrilled to partner with Kelly in this work and help the political leaders of today and tomorrow build their capacity to train their minds and sustain their impact.”

 

Anna

Corporate manager, coaching client

“Kelly was the perfect coach and fit for me, as her personality, enthusiasm, empathy, and genuine kindness coupled perfectly with her coaching skills.”

 

Lindsey

Executive director of a social impact organization, coaching client

“Kelly’s kind presence and consistent enthusiasm helped me feel permission to say what was true and work through the leadership challenges I faced. Our sessions helped me inquire more deeply into what was really needed for me to achieve my leadership goals.”

Michael Whitehorn

Campaign professional, coaching client

“Kelly was fantastic at asking great questions that forced me to think beyond the superficial. I’m truly amazed at the impact she had on me and my career goals using so few words, just prompts and questions. I so appreciated her thoughtfulness and approach.”

Lili

Community engagement leader, coaching client

“While I was initially hesitant to join a coaching program, I left with clarity and understanding of my purpose, which are two things I didn’t even know I needed. Kelly did an incredible job creating an environment to get me to this place, and I now feel so much more confident in my leadership abilities overall.”

Catherine

Senior leader, global development organization, coaching client

“I would highly recommend Kelly to anyone, especially those who are seeking greater clarity in aligning their personal values with professional goals and could benefit from support in approaching their work with a renewed sense of purpose.”

Get In Touch

Thank you