Kelsey DeMerlis is a passionate community connector and currently the Director of the Center for Community Services at the Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development. Kelsey received her Bachelors of Science in Psychology with a Business minor from The Penn State University. In 2018 Kelsey completed the Executive Program in Social Impact Strategy from the University of Pennsylvania. Kelsey is a life-long Pennsylvanian with a brief stint in New York City. She currently resides in Philadelphia.
While Kelsey started her career in Public Relations in the fashion industry, she quickly realized her true passion is working with communities. Kelsey worked as a job coach and developer for adults with disabilities across all 5 New York City boroughs promoting inclusive employment opportunities. She spent 6 years at the Philadelphia Youth Network(PYN) working with the business community to develop career pathways and leading the charge to advance youth pre-apprenticeships/apprenticeships along with the WorkReady Summer Youth Program.
Kelsey moved into local government in 2021 managing place-based initiatives at the City of Philadelphia address broader public issues from housing to food access.
At DCED, Kelsey leads the Center for Community Services connecting communities across the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania to anti-poverty and community development resources.
Kelsey was a fellow for the New Leaders Council Philadelphia chapter in 2018 and soon after joined the local chapter board as the fundraising chair. From 2020-2023 Kelsey was the NLC Philadelphia Chapter Director, an organization that recruits and trains local young progressive civic and business leaders to shepherd system change. In 2019, Kelsey was recognized as a KEEPER through Leadership Philadelphia.
Today, Kelsey is a board member for Sunday Breakfast Club, Clean Air Council, and Keep Pennsylvania Beautiful.
Kelsey is an avid traveler (domestic and international), baked goods enthusiast, supporter of local coffee shops and enjoys staying active. In fact, she is on a mission to find the best chocolate chip cookie in Pennsylvania. She prides herself in being the world’s best aunt to 5 nieces and 1 nephew.
