Women To Watch Awards 2026 honors Kelly Spain

Kelly Spain is the owner of ABCs Mom Biz, LLC and the founder of The CARE Institute for AI Strategy, where she architects governance-forward AI systems for higher education institutions, nonprofits, and small businesses. With more than 20 years in education, Kelly currently serves as First Year Experience Coordinator and Instructor at a Georgia technical college.

Kelly is the creator of The C.A.R.E. Model for Human-Centered AI Strategy™, a proprietary framework designed to bridge the gap between emerging AI technology and equitable institutional adoption. Her consulting architecture moves clients through a structured five-phase engagement model supported by a client-facing governance system, translating complex AI compliance structures into actionable, values-driven infrastructure for organizations where resources are limited but stakes are high.

An Accredited Certified AI Consultant, Kelly is a sought-after thought leader who has presented at several prominent academic institutions and spoken at conferences and sessions dedicated to the future of AI in education and the workforce. She serves as VP of Communication for the Georgia Association for Women in Higher Education (GAWHE) and is a 2026 Black Leaders Worldwide Women You Need to Know honoree.

Kelly's work is rooted in a singular mission: building a future where AI serves people first, especially those who have been left out of the conversation.