What Others are saying
Reviews & Endorsements
“I had the pleasure of hearing Kelly Narowski speak on safety, alcohol and substance abuse prevention, as well as cultivating resilience skills and disability awareness. Her presentation was not only informative but profoundly impactful. Kelly’s ability to connect with her audience, share powerful personal experiences, and emphasize the importance of personal responsibility resonated deeply with everyone in attendance. Her insights, delivered with empathy and authenticity, encouraged each of us to reflect on our own choices and behaviors. Kelly’s story and message are both moving and empowering, leaving a lasting impression on all of us. Her work in raising awareness and educating others is invaluable, and I wholeheartedly recommend her as a speaker for any audience seeking to be inspired, informed, and motivated toward positive change.”
~ Brian D. Crandall, Ph.D.
Lieutenant Colonel (R)
Clinical Psychologist
West Point, NY
“It is with great enthusiasm that I highly recommend Kelly Narowski as a speaker for any organization committed to deepening its understanding of disability rights and inclusion. Kelly recently served as our keynote speaker at our strategic planning retreat, and her presentations left an indelible mark on our team.
From the moment Kelly took the stage, it was clear that she is not only an expert in the field of disability rights, but also a gifted communicator who connects with audiences on a deeply personal and emotional level. Drawing from both her lived experience and professional expertise, Kelly shared powerful stories that prompted our team to rethink our approach to accessibility, equity, and inclusion. Her insights were both thought-provoking and transformative and inspiring.
What truly set Kelly apart was her ability to deliver messages that were both compelling and actionable. She framed the challenges surrounding disability rights in ways that were both informative and practical, empowering us to identify concrete steps we can take to become stronger allies to people with disabilities and more effective advocates for systemic change. Rather than prescribing solutions, Kelly invited us into a thoughtful, reflective dialogue that allowed our team to envision new possibilities and chart our own path forward.
Kelly’s warmth, authenticity, and passion for change were evident in every moment of her presentation. She is a dynamic, inspiring speaker whose ability to engage and empower her audience is unparalleled. Her approach was perfectly suited to a retreat focused on long-term vision and strategy, helping us reframe our priorities and commitments in ways that will have a lasting impact on our work.
In addition to her powerful presentation, Kelly graciously agreed to serve on our board of directors following the retreat. Her decision to join our board underscores her deep commitment to the work we do and to driving meaningful change in the field of disability rights. We are thrilled to welcome her leadership and expertise to our team, confident that her perspective will help guide our strategic direction and amplify our impact.
If you’re seeking a speaker who can inspire action, challenge assumptions, and spark meaningful change in the areas of disability rights and inclusion, I cannot recommend Kelly Narowski highly enough. She is a compassionate advocate, and a powerful catalyst for positive transformation. We are incredibly grateful for the opportunity to have experienced her insights and are excited about the future with her as part of our board of directors.”
~ Julie Edlund
Chief Executive Officer
Life Unlimited
“With a combined audience of over 800 young people, Kelly captivated our middle school with her message of disability awareness, so much so that you could hear a pin drop while she was speaking! That’s hard to do with middle schoolers! The students reported that they learned so much about people with disabilities and how disabilities are acquired. Educators in the building unanimously agreed Kelly was the most influential speaker they had ever heard address our students. Her guidance on word usage, etiquette, and disability facts/statistics and law are fundamental knowledge for young people and adults navigating a diverse world. Her message will, hands down, change the way you see and interact with not only individuals with disabilities, but all humans.”
~ Hillary Adams
Middle School Teacher
Blue Springs, MO
“Kelly’s message was spot on- most effective presentation I’ve seen to make Marines think before they make split-second decisions. “
~ LTC Joel A. Burdette
Commanding Officer
Marine Air Station Cherry Point, NC
“I highly recommend Mrs. Kelly Narowski to any brigade commander or military leader. Kelly is an extremely talented speaker with an extremely powerful message regarding high-risk behavior for our Soldiers, and delivers a hard-hitting, effective presentation to Soldiers about personal accountability. As a brigade commander, my unit had 15 DUIs in the first 90 days of my command. Trying to stem the disturbing trend, I turned to Kelly and asked her to speak to my Soldiers. In the 90 days following her presentation, the brigade had 3 DUIs, all by new Soldiers who did not attend her presentation. I am convinced that intense leader engagement, coupled with Kelly’s presentation, is the reason for this dramatic shift in behavior. Kelly’s story has a powerful effect on Soldiers, and the passion, professionalism, and expertise with which she addresses Soldiers on topics like distracted driving and drunk driving and their impact on others is extremely well received. I have never seen Soldiers so riveted to a speaker talking about subjects that generally do not hold Soldier’s attention for very long. The results in my brigade alone are a testament to her effectiveness. Again, I wholeheartedly recommend Mrs. Kelly Narowski to any Commander. I intend to have her return and speak to my Soldiers again following our deployment.”
~ Lieutenant General David J. Francis
Former Brigade Commander, 10th Combat Aviation Brigade
Fort Drum, NY
“It is my honor to give my highest personal recommendation to Mrs. Kelly Narowski. She has given nineteen safety speeches to Fort Campbell-based units, including Infantry, Aviation, and Sustainment Brigades and a Special Forces Group. Feedback from her presentations has been exceptional; many Soldiers say this is the most effective safety talk they have ever attended. In my 16 years of professional safety experience, I have never seen a more effective demonstration of the consequences of high-risk choices and behaviors. As the wife of an active duty officer, Mrs. Narowski has insight into the challenges faced by deploying and redeploying Soldiers. She readily tailors her presentation to the audience to include a recent group of teen drivers, the sons and daughters of the 101st Sustainment Brigade Soldiers.”
~ James F. Jennings
101st Sustainment Brigade Safety Officer
Fort Campbell, KY
“I enthusiastically and explicitly recommend you invite Kelly Narowski to speak at your next event! The first time I met Kelly, I thought ‘Wow, she is really something. She is genuine and there is something special about her. I need to invite her to speak at Marine Corps Base, Camp Lejeune, to speak to our Marines and Sailors.’ I did so and was not disappointed! On all presentation basics, Kelly receives the highest of marks, e.g. professionalism, preparedness, and enthusiasm. Her delivery is both energetic and informative; there is no mistake that her message is very personal to her. The individual connection Kelly has to the material gives her an uncanny ability to seize her audience’s attention. She exhibits a tremendous amount of emotion and energy during her presentation and her use of photographs and vignettes that focus on decision-making moments is not only thought-provoking but leaves a lasting impression on those in attendance. Using her personal experiences not only keeps the attention of the Marines and Sailors in the audience, but forced them to think about making better decisions in their off-duty time. I’ve witnessed many safety presentations over the years; Kelly Narowski’s presentations, without question, are among the very best!”
~ Stanley J. Dutko
Director of Safety
Marine Corps Installations East
Camp Lejeune, NC
“Kelly, I just wanted to say thank you for coming to Alaska and talking to our Soldiers. After I left your briefing, I went back to my office and no less than 10 Soldiers and Officers stopped by to say what a great presentation it was! Other Soldiers are also stopping me in the hallways to ask questions, and tell me that they got a lot out of your talk with them. I look forward to seeing you back again soon!”
~ Mark W. Ilg, OHST
Brigade Safety, 2nd Engineer Brigade
Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson, Alaska
“I commend the hard work and dedication put forth by Ms. Kelly Narowski to the Army community. Ms. Narowski delivered presentations to every unit within the 18th Fires Brigade, speaking to over 4,000 personnel. Kelly covered a range of safety topics and her personal experiences sparked a true reality to our Soldiers and brought reflection on their driving habits in a way that I have not seen in my 20 years of service. Her vast experience, coupled with a wide knowledge of trends and statistics, is truly remarkable and must be made available to unit commanders in all formations. Moreover, as a result of Ms. Narowski’s presentation, our own statistics in traffic violations and accidents have continued to decline and remain one of the lowest in the Army. Kelly is an inspiring and motivated speaker who deserves the highest recognition possible. Her training will remain a pivotal and intricate part of this unit’s safety program, and it will forever stay in the minds of those who have heard her personal story.”
~ Kevin L. Turpin
Major, U.S. Army
Brigade Executive Officer
“Kelly has been a contracted speaker for our ThinkFirst of Greater Kansas City chapter for over 9 years. In that time, she has educated tens of thousands of children and teens through our school-based assemblies and educated young drivers through our court-ordered diversion program. Kelly uses her own personal experiences as a crash victim and spinal cord injury survivor to provide powerful, unforgettable experiences that make audiences think, and gives them tools to take control of their own personal safety. I have no doubt that her work as a speaker has prevented countless traffic deaths and disabling injuries. She is passionate about preventing brain and spinal cord injuries and educating about disability awareness.
She is professional, punctual, reliable, smart, and easy to work with, but above all she is an AMAZING speaker. Kelly takes audiences on her journey from being an able-bodied young woman, to a crash victim, to the empowered individual she is today. Audiences love her for her candor and learn a lot from her life experiences.
One recent school said: “We really appreciated the open and honest presentation from Kelly. She brought a real-world perspective that most young people do not think about.”
Our organization is extremely fortunate to have Kelly as a part of our injury prevention team!”
~ Rose Simone
Director of Development
The Research Foundation
Kansas City, MO
“Kelly has devoted her life to telling her personal story and educating Soldiers, civilians, and youth about practicing safety behind the wheel. She is also an Army spouse and has spoken passionately for many units at the company, battalion, brigade, and installation levels to include: Fort Gregg-Adams, Fort Jackson, Fort Riley, Fort Drum, 1st Infantry Division, 82nd Airborne Division, 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault), 10th Mountain Division, 5th Special Forces Group, 160th SOAR, and 4th Military Information Support Group (Airborne), United States Army Special Operation Command. Her method of delivery is down-to-earth and practical and her message is on point every time she delivers. I have personally attended her training several times when she presented multiple times before the 82nd ABN brigade units and at one of the major leadership conferences. One safety officer even confirmed an overall decrease in DUIs and no POV injury accidents throughout his brigade since Kelly’s presentations. I highly recommend you consider contracting her services for your next safety event!”
~ Pinkie Fischer
Chaplain (Colonel) USA
Former 6th Military Information Support Battalion
“Kelly Narowski did a wonderful job of communicating a complex subject in an age appropriate, understandable and enthusiastic manner. I have been approached by many staff members expressing their thanks for the valuable assembly Kelly presented. “
~ Judy Marino, RN
School Nurse, Sunset Ridge Elementary
Overland Park, KS
“Kelly is a world-class speaker. Every Soldier at Fort Bragg should hear her message!”
~ Mark Martin
Safety Manager, 4th Psychological Operations Group
Fort Liberty, NC (formerly Fort Bragg)
“Kelly is a natural-born public speaker and gifted communicator. Her compelling testimony leaves a lasting impact, and she has engaged and motivated audiences nationwide. “
~ Dr. Michelle Gibler
Director, Think First
Brain and Spinal Cord Injury Foundation
Columbia, MO
“Kelly did a fabulous job speaking to the Greater Kansa City Spinal Cord Injury Association membership about accessible travel. Kelly is extremely knowledgeable about the ADA and the ACAA and provided our group with extensive information about the rights of travelers with disabilities, as well as great practical tips. Her speaking style was professional but personable, and she truly engaged our group. I would highly recommend Kelly!”
~ Sara Smith
Board Member, United Spinal Cord Injury Association
Kansas City, MO
“Without a doubt the best presentation/discussion concerning the subject in my 20 years of service as a Marine Officer! Kelly’s articulate, direct yet professional presentation hit home with the Marines and sailors in attendance. Her ability to talk with them and not ‘to’ them allows her to leave a longing impression. If you’re leading Marines, Soldiers, Sailors or Airman and plan on conducting a safety stand-down/brief, contact Kelly. You and your warriors will not regret it.”
~ LTC James McArthur
Deputy AC/S G-3 Operations and Training
Marine Corps Air Ground Combat Center
Twentynine Palms, CA
“Kelly, I didn’t get a chance to thank you personally for the presentation at Fort Jackson. I served for 30 years and I’ve been a DA civilian since 2006. Needless to say I’ve seen safety folks come and go, but none compared to the talk you gave today. Your style fits perfectly with the new Soldiers and the civilian force here. Thanks again, and I’m sure we’ll have you back if you’ll agree.”
~ Chip Martin
Fort Jackson, SC
“Bar none- the best safety brief in 10 years of service!”
~ SGT Farrison
Marine Corps Air Station Beaufort, SC
“I recommend you invite Ms. Kelly Narowski to speak at your installation. She has delivered 18 presentations over the last 2 years at Fort Lee. Ms. Narowski is an excellent speaker and has an important story to tell. She immediately grabs the audience’s attention, no matter what age, and is right on target. Many audience members informed me that it was the best safety presentation they had ever seen, and her message still resonates with the Soldiers, civilians, and family members who were impacted by her words. If you want someone who cares for the safety and welfare of our nation’s greatest, I recommend you invite Ms. Kelly Narowski to speak at your installation. She helps save lives!”
~ Timothy D. Lawrence
Director of Safety
Fort Gregg-Adams, VA (formerly Fort Lee)
“Mrs. Narowski’s safety briefing was the best I’ve ever heard! After the briefing, the Soldier sitting next to me said she never wears her seatbelt but will from now on!”
~ SPC Crystal Egan
1st Brigade Combat Team, 101st Airborne Division
Fort Campbell, KY
“Kelly, You can’t imagine how refreshing it is to have someone brief a topic that they actually know what the hell it is they are talking about for once! As an MP for 15+ years, even in the Army Reserve, it’s always the ‘I knew a guy who knew a girl who…’ stories and they just don’t resonate with the audience like your message does. Your briefing style and your candid, no holds barred discussion of your situation were both refreshing and welcome. I gotta say, I walked into the briefing expecting to be bored to tears by yet another safety briefing and when I realized you were rolling across the floor in a wheelchair, wow, it hit home. Very powerful for me and I’ve been attending Army briefings or 15+ years and have given my fair share too. I’ve always played life safe anyway, but you’ve given me a renewed focus on the topic Anyway, thank you for the endearing and simultaneously poignant message. You absolutely HAVE to be making a difference with people in each audience!”
~ 1LT Mark A. Franzen
Commander
346th MP Company
Fort Riley, KS
“I’ve been in the Army for 7 years and this was the most memorable safety brief I’ve had!”
~ SSG Gunther
3rd Brigade Combat Team, 82nd Airborne Division
Fort Liberty, NC
“Kelly, attended your brief today. It was excellent and intense. Thank you for passing the message to our Marines!”
~ Major Kevin Keating
Marine Corps Air Station Beaufort, SC
“Mrs. Narowski, I was at the speech you gave to the Air Force for our safety day at the Presidio of Monterey. I wanted to thank you for coming out and giving such a wonderful and powerful speech. We are given safety briefings at least once a week by a Sgt or Commander and your speech was by far the most impactful and meaningful I’ve had the privilege of listening to. I watched the Air Force students around me and I really believe that your message reached many of the students who ignore our weekly briefings. My friend was actually in tears by the end. Thank you so much for so candidly sharing your personal story. Training bases like the Presidio have so many young people who believe they are invincible and unfortunately sometimes choose to make poor choices and I believe after listening to your story and the information you provided there are now much fewer people here who will make those same poor decisions. Thank you again for sharing your story. I hope the students at Presidio will have another chance in the future to hear your message!”
~ A1C Tiffany Warren
Student, Defense Language Institute
Monterey, CA
“Dear Kelly, On behalf of the Army Air Operations Group, I would like to extend my sincere appreciation for presenting your personal story during our Safety Stand Down Day. Your presentation was exceptional in both delivery and substance! Your presentation will go a long way in promoting safety readiness in our ranks. Your style, communication skills, materials, and most of all, your message, were professional, captivating, and sobering to the Soliders and civilians you have tried so hard to protect. I am confident you made a lasting impression on all. You have an important story to tell, and we are thankful you were able to share your message with us. Once again, thanks for all you have done to promote safety across the Army, and thank you for helping make the AAOG Safety Day an overwhelming success.”
~ Colonel Scott E. Sanborn
Garrison Commander
Fort Belvoir, VA
“Mrs. Narowski, I wanted to thank you for bringing so much to the safety training today at MCLB Albany. Your presentation and personal stories really hit the target. I hope many of the Marines got something out of it. I know I definitely did. Again, thank you for taking your time to improve our driving safety awareness.”
~MSGT Jason Watkin
Marine Corps Logistics Base
Albany, GA
“Everyone was enthralled by Kelly Narowski’s innate and powerful ability to engage and educate her audience. The messages and images that she portrays are, by necessity, strong, yet she approaches her subject scientifically, sensitively, and with supreme dignity. I was utterly transfixed by her words and the messages she conveyed, which clearly resonated with every single member of the audience. Kelly’s safety briefings should be required training not just for the military, but for the public at large.”
~ LTC Nick Wilkes
British Army Exchange Officer
Fort Gregg-Adams, VA
“Mrs. Narowski’s presentation was very well given, as well as received by the audience and her presentation helped them to personalize for whom they provide their services. Her participation in the conference was considered by many attendees as bring a very critical part of the agenda and helped make the conference the success that it was.”
~ David Fleming
Nat’l Organization of State Impaired Driving Programs
Jefferson City, MO
“Dynamite Speaker!! Kelly lays it on the line. She provides an eye-opening, thought-provoking presentation that makes you step back and examine your own driving habits, whether that involves drinking or distracted driving! “
~ Vicki L. Greenwood
Safety Administrative Officer
Marine Corps Installations East
Camp Lejeune, NC
“Kelly, You have changed my life! From this day forward I will be a completely different driver! I have been to countless safety briefings in my life! I served in the Army for 3 years and since have worked on a military installation. I honestly, hands on a bible can say I do not remember one of them! Today is different.. I will NEVER forget yours! Your brief today changed it all! Thank you for providing the missing puzzle piece in order for me to see “the whole picture” of EXACTLY what I could lose with my habitual careless driving. I am forever grateful!”
~ Rebecca Salazar
Life Skills Trainer
Marine Corps Air Station Beaufort, SC
“Thank you so much for coming to our school. I loved your speech. It made me think of everything I want to do in my life. Your speech really touched me and made me think twice about wearing my seatbelt and drinking and driving when I get older.”
~ Anna Church
Student, Westwood View Elementary School
Westwood, KS
“Thank you for opening my eyes with your terrific safety presentation. Thank you again!”
~ Melvin S. McCarthan, Jr.
Marine Corps Air Station Beaufort, SC
“Mrs. Narowski, As an NCO with 8 years in the Army I’ve received countless safety briefings and presentations but you are by far the most informative, moving, and effective speaker I’ve seen on the topic of vehicle safety and risk management. This was the best presentation I’ve ever received in the Army. You spoke to the issue of accident prevention and vehicle safety in an uncommonly convincing and informative way. Your personal story and message are a powerful reminder to do the right thing. I think the special thing about your presentation is that you were able to make it personal. Too many times, Soldiers leave these types of briefings saying to themselves, “That couldn’t happen to me.” You were able to make us all see more vividly that “It could be me if I don’t take this seriously.” Thanks again for what you do!”
~ SSG Joe Quinn
Korean Military Language Instructor, DLIFLC
Monterey, CA
“Hello Kelly, I am a firefighter at MCLB Albany, GA. I attended your presentation this morning. Boy… what an eye opener! I consider myself to be a very safe person, but I have made some bad choices. When I say that, I mean I have found myself talking/texting a few times while driving! I know… how stupid! I am especially grateful for this presentation because my wife Ginger and I have 5 children. I couldn’t imagine making a choice that would take someone else’s life, my wife and children’s life or my own. What am awesome presentation! This presentation touched me most importantly concerning my children being responsible drivers. My daughter Alicia is 16 and she will be driving soon. My wife and I still have a little time to be the examples we need to be for our daughter to get the point of not using cell phones to talk or text while driving. Thank you and God Bless!”
~ Steve Karrick
Marine Corps Logistics Base
Albany, GA