About Kelly D. Holder

Dr. Kelly Holder is a clinician, educator, and advocate known for her unwavering commitment to advancing mental health and well-being. Her academic path led her to Oakwood University, where she earned a Bachelor's degree in Biochemistry, followed by a Master’s and Ph.D. degree in Clinical Psychology from Loma Linda University. Dr. Holder further honed her expertise through a Postdoctoral Fellowship in HIV Mental Health/Behavioral Medicine at Los Angeles County-Harbor-UCLA Medical Center.

Throughout her career, Dr. Holder has emerged as a beacon of change in mental health and well-being. Her professional journey has spanned various settings, including college counseling centers, private practice, and community mental health. Currently, she serves as the inaugural Chief Well-Being Officer for the Division of Biology & Medicine at Brown University, encompassing the Warren Alpert Medical School and the Program in Biology. 

Prior to her work at Brown University, Dr. Holder made significant strides at Penn State College of Medicine and Hershey Medical Center. There, she pioneered the Office for Professional Mental Health, evolving from her initial role as the inaugural Director of the Office of Student Mental Health and Counseling. Her innovative approach to mental health in academic and medical settings has set new standards in the field.

One of Dr. Holder's most notable achievements is the creation of an annual conference, "Suicide in Healthcare and Science," addressing the critical issue of suicide prevention among healthcare professionals. This initiative tackles the alarmingly high suicide rates in the healthcare community, focusing on risk recognition, resource provision, and resilience building.

As a sought-after speaker, Dr. Holder has shared her expertise at regional, national, and international conferences. Her presentations cover crucial topics such as burnout in healthcare providers, stress management, and cultivating well-being, reaching diverse audiences from medical professionals to educators and community members.  She contributes to her local community serving on the boards of the Rhode Island Chapters of the American Heart Association and the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention.

Dr. Holder's commitment extends beyond her professional roles. She actively serves her community as a board member of the Southern New England Chapter of the American Heart Association and the Rhode Island Chapter of the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention. Throughout the years, Dr. Holder has shown dedication to children's ministry, supporting programs such as Sabbath School and Vacation Bible School at many of the churches she has attended. This commitment to spiritual growth and education is further exemplified in her authorship of the devotional book "Playdate With God," which innovatively uses play as a means for families to connect around God's word.

At the core of Dr. Holder's philosophy is the belief that well-being is primarily shaped by systemic, environmental, and cultural factors. She advocates for a collective, community-driven approach to improve individual well-being, particularly within academic medicine and healthcare settings.

Today, with self-compassion and support, she weaves together her impactful career and family life, embodying the principle of work-life integration. Dr. Holder is married to Dr. Sheldon Holder, and together they are raising three thriving teenagers.

As Dr. Kelly Holder continues her work as a clinical health psychologist, she draws inspiration from the words of Martin Luther King Jr.: "Everybody can be great because everybody can serve." Through her various roles and initiatives, Dr. Holder strives to serve her community, colleagues, and families, contributing to the well-being of individuals in healthcare settings and beyond.   Kelly enjoys time with her family playing games, having tea with friends, reading, and growing her ability to enjoy simple moments of self-care.