Perry County native recognized for entrepreneurial leadership, commitment to helping women succeed
NELSONVILLE, Ohio – The Foundation for Appalachian Ohio (FAO) has presented its Child of Appalachia award to Perry County native Kelly Mooney, an author, speaker, gender equality advocate and board director.
Mooney built her career as co-owner and CEO of Resource Interactive, the nation’s largest women-owned digital agency. She and her business partner sold the agency to IBM in 2016, where she became its first chief experience officer. After recognizing that many organizations don’t invest enough in non-executive talent, Mooney founded a public benefit corporation, Equipt Women, in 2021 to help entry- and mid-level women advance their careers.
“The Child of Appalachia Award shines a light on individuals whose stories demonstrate the remarkable strength, talent and promise found across our communities,” said Cara Dingus Brook, FAO president and CEO. “And Kelly’s story deserves to be in the spotlight. She’s a nationally known entrepreneur, author and gender equality advocate. But even more importantly, she’s never forgotten the Appalachian tradition of giving back, sharing her expertise with hundreds of thousands of women early in their careers.”
Building on the theme of helping women succeed, Mooney’s newest book,UP! The Playbook for Every Woman on the Rise, provides women with strategies and tools to grow into roles of influence, leadership and impact. The book – co-authored with her sister, Katy Mooney – has been named a 2026 Axiom Business Book Awards Medalist and a 2026 Reader’s Favorite Gold Medal Winner.
Helping women succeed isn’t just a business for Mooney; it’s a passion. In 2023, she launched 100 Days for Women, an initiative through which she provided one hour of free career advice for 100 days in a row. She repeated the program in 2024. Alongside her business, Mooney also launched the Equipt Women Foundation, which provides emergency funds to single parents at community colleges.
FAO established its Child of Appalachia award in 2005 as part of a broader effort to encourage pride and high expectations among the people of Appalachian Ohio. Since that time, FAO has recognized 24 other people with the award, including Robert L. “Bob” Evans and John and Annie Glenn.
Mooney grew up as the eighth of 10 children in New Lexington before attending Ohio State University to study industrial design. She is a member of the Meritage Homes Corporation board and a former board member of Sally Beauty and J.Jill, Inc. She has been a member of the Young Presidents’ Organization since 2008 and serves as the membership officer for Santa Barbara, Calif., where she currently lives. Mooney also serves as the chairperson of Giving List Women, a nonprofit dedicated to creating a more gender-balanced world.
“Receiving this honor brings me back to my roots, with gratitude for the people and the place that shaped me,” Mooney said. “Growing up in Appalachian Ohio taught me the value of hard work and the importance of community – no one is self-made. Those qualities became my competitive edge in business and in life. I hope young people here recognize that where they come from can be their edge, too. I’m proud to be a Child of Appalachia.”