Kellee James: From UK to the White House
LEXINGTON, Ky. (Sept. 14, 2009) -- She’s only 33, but University of Kentucky alumna Kellee James has already been recognized as one of the most promising American leaders of her generation. James is among the 15 men and women appointed by President Barack Obama to serve in the 2009-2010 class of White House Fellows.
The White House Fellows Program was created in 1964 by President Lyndon B. Johnson to give promising American leaders "first hand, high-level experience with the workings of the federal government, and to increase their sense of participation in national affairs." This unique position in our nation’s government encourages active citizenship and service to the nation. The Fellows also take part in an education program designed to broaden their knowledge of leadership, policy formulation, military operations, and current affairs. Community service is another important component of the program, and Fellows participate in service projects throughout the year in the Washington, D.C. area. Since 1964, more than 600 outstanding American men and women have participated in the nonpartisan White House Fellows program, each chosen because of their extraordinary leadership ability and service to others.
The 2009-2010 class of White House Fellows represents a diverse cross-section of professions including medicine, business, media, education, nonprofit and state government, as well as two branches of the U.S. military.
"We are thrilled that these exceptional men and women will be joining us here in Washington for the next year," said First Lady Michelle Obama. "The program not only allows for a variety of perspectives to come together, offering expertise and experience to benefit the administration’s efforts, but these Fellows in turn carry what they’ve learned to their own communities to benefit Americans far beyond the walls of the White House."
James graduated from UK with a bachelor's degree in Spanish and International Studies from the College of Arts and Sciences. She completed her M.B.A. and a master of arts degree in International Development at American University in Washington, D.C.
“UK gave me an excellent foundation. I had the chance to grow academically and personally and to prepare for the opportunities I wasn’t even aware of at the time,” said James when asked how her undergraduate experience prepared her for future success.
James is currently on a leave of absence from her work as an economist at the Chicago Climate Exchange (CCX), where her responsibilities include research, state-level public policy outreach and business development at the United States’ first greenhouse gas emissions exchange and cap-and-trade system.
James has packed a lot into her young career. Prior to joining CCX, she worked for the World Bank as part of its technology group, as well as for the Inter-American Foundation where she evaluated agriculture, tourism and microfinance projects in Brazil, Mexico and Honduras. James is a co-founder and board member of Levantamos, a nonprofit that works to develop partnerships between Americans and Brazilians of African descent. She also currently serves on the Board of Net Impact, a membership organization of more than 12,000 MBA professionals committed to sustainability through corporate responsibility, and is a Fellow with the Truman National Security Project, a leadership training institute. James is a lifelong equestrian, and has trained in the discipline of show jumping under the direction of a former U.S. Olympian.
Selection as a White House Fellow is highly competitive and based on a record of remarkable professional achievement early in one’s career, evidence of leadership potential, a proven commitment to public service, and the knowledge and skills necessary to contribute successfully at the highest levels of the federal government. Throughout its history, the program has fostered leaders in many fields including Admiral Dennis Blair, director of National Intelligence, former Secretary of Labor Elaine Chao, retired U.S. Army General Wesley Clark, former Secretary of State Colin Powell, CNN Chief Medical Correspondent Dr. Sanjay Gupta, U.S. Senator Sam Brownback, U.S. Representative Joe Barton, writer Doris Kearns Goodwin, former Travelocity CEO Michelle Peluso, former CNN Chairman and CEO Tom Johnson, former Univision President Luis Nogales, and U.S. Court of Appeals Judges M. Margaret McKeown and Deanell Tacha.
Additional information about the White House Fellows program is available here: www.whitehouse.gov/fellows.