Colonel Kelli Grant

Dr. Kelli Grant has devoted her professional journey to education, advocacy, and service. This year marked the successful launch of her business dedicated to providing education, opportunities, and coaching to neurodiverse populations. As an autistic researcher, Dr. Grant leverages over two decades of experience, combining personal insights with formal education to serve communities. Her work aims to disseminate sociological concepts to broader audiences, fostering the preservation of families and communities, with a specific focus on the inclusion of Autistic and/or ADHD individuals.

Dr. Grant also presented at the 49th Annual Governor’s Conference for the Prevention of Child Abuse and Neglect in Wichita, Kansas this past October. Her presentation advocated for various aspects aligned with the five Protective Factors related to child abuse, including social connections, parental resilience, nurturing, support, and developmental knowledge. Parents collaborating with Dr. Grant report significant shifts in their perception of their child’s struggles and their approach to challenging behaviors, and she was able to bring this training to multiple agencies, including this important conference in 2025.

Her service includes a wide range of policy and public service work, demonstrated through advocacy related to strengthening the local non-discrimination ordinance in the City of Wichita, campaigns as a certified candidate for Sedgwick County Commission and elected Precinct Committeewoman, negotiating Juneteenth as a paid holiday, and direct support work such as overturning a 504-denial decision for a child with autism. Dr. Grant employs personal experiences, extensive knowledge, and humor to engage diverse learners and promote hope and inclusion within the autistic community and beyond.

Dr. Grant was commissioned a Kentucky Colonel to recognize her long-term service and education efforts around justice issues and social inequalities. She has served through direct service and administrative, policy-driven positions and continuously strives to increase her knowledge, help others move forward, and hold space for problem-solving and innovation. Belonging to the Kentucky Colonels is a position of honor and reverence for Dr. Grant, reflecting her lifelong devotion to service and the work of those who have gone before her.