Kelley Newman

Kelley grew up in a northwest suburb of Chicago. She attended Vanderbilt University for undergraduate, receiving a Bachelor of Science degree in Psychology and Special Education. Following two years of working at an adaptive horseback riding center, she received her Doctorate of Physical Therapy degree from Columbia University in New York. Kelley served as a Pediatric Physical Therapist and Clinical Coordinator at Monroe Carell Jr. Children’s Hospital at Vanderbilt where she worked in the outpatient, acute care, aquatic and NICU settings. She is credentialed as a Pediatric Physical Therapy Clinical Specialist and a Hippotherapy Clinical Specialist. Kelley was the Director of Vanderbilt Adaptive Sports, a series of programs supporting children with disabilities in adaptive sports, inclusive camps, and community integration. She was also the Director of the Pediatric Physical Therapy Clinical Residency for Vanderbilt Children’s Hospital and Belmont University, supervising a group of six clinical mentors and Resident to achieve Pediatric Specialist Certification.

Kelley has served extensively in the non-profit sector and was part of the first Vanderbilt Ingram Scholars Alumni Board, serving multiple terms and assisting with the development of the bylaws. She has participated in application reviews, led small groups, been a class representative, and served as a mentor. Kelley has also been integral with the founding and growth of Music City Trykes, the Nashville chapter dedicated towards fundraising, building and providing adaptive bicycles to over 900 children with disabilities in middle Tennessee.

Through the Vanderbilt Adaptive Sports program, Kelley pioneered the Tri My Best Triathlon, an adaptive race pairing children with disabilities with a peer buddy to complete the race together as a team. Beginning in 2016 with 60 athletes, this race has grown into a three-race series supporting over 200 athletes annually. In partnership with YMCA Camp Widjiwagan, Kelley helped implement an inclusive camp model over the last three years, integrating campers with disabilities into their traditional camp groups with inclusion supports for counselors. She hopes to grow this program to support more children with physical disabilities and assist the YMCA navigate accessibility to the many activity offerings.

Kelley is also certified as an Inclusive Recreation Specialist through the National Inclusion Project and has been trained in Para-Sport Classification.

Kelley lives in Brentwood, Tennessee with her husband, Sean, and four children. During her spare time, she enjoys horseback riding, water and snow skiing, running and swimming, and playing mah jong. Kelley carries immense gratitude to the Ingram family and Ingram Scholars Program for cultivating her love of service and drive to leave an impact in her community.