Kelly Ross on Fearless Leadership, Economic Empowerment, & Building Community The Echo Collective
About the Episode
In this episode of Queen Me, we sit down with Kelly Ross - nonprofit leader, social entrepreneur, and founder of The Echo Collective in Lincoln, Nebraska. Kelly shares the journey behind her mission to uplift immigrant and refugee women through economic independence, community-building, and entrepreneurship. From humble beginnings as an ESL volunteer to launching The Refinery program, Kelly’s work shows how local action can create generational impact - and how stepping past fear can change everything.
Key Takeways
A Calling Found in the Classroom: Kelly’s journey began when she volunteered to teach English to adult women. Though initially nervous about connecting across cultures, she quickly discovered the profound impact of relationship-building and community care.
A Vision Sparked by Friendship: Inspired by a student’s desire to launch a business - and encouraged by a supportive friend - Kelly created The Echo Collective in 2019 to empower women through entrepreneurship. Her leap into leadership was fueled by belief in a need and someone else’s belief in her.
Why Economic Independence Matters: Kelly emphasizes that financial freedom gives refugee and immigrant women more than income - it gives them agency. When women lead economically, their families flourish and their children are inspired by what’s possible.
Homeschool Roots, Entrepreneurial Grit: Raised in a homeschool environment, Kelly learned early how to take ownership of her learning. That mindset of independence and resourcefulness became the foundation of her leadership style and entrepreneurial approach.
The Refinery: Community Over Curriculum: The Echo Collective’s flagship program, The Refinery, was built on a comprehensive in-person model - because community, trust, and connection can’t be replicated online. Kelly stands by the belief that strong relationships create stronger entrepreneurs.
From Student to Leader: One of The Refinery’s first graduates, Cecilia, not only started her own business but now manages Echo Collective’s textile programs. Her success - buying a home, supporting her family, and leading with creativity - is a full-circle story of empowerment.
The Challenge of Funding Impact: Kelly opens up about the complexities of nonprofit life, particularly the slow and competitive grant process. Balancing administrative duties with meaningful work requires strategy, authenticity, and an unshakable sense of purpose.
Unleashing Her Inner Queen: For Kelly, it means rejecting fear and stepping into spaces without needing to have all the answers. By embracing authenticity and courage, she models what it looks like to lead with vision and create change from the ground up.
