Staff with Purpose and Passion: Steph Kennelly

A career path often unfolds in a predictable, linear fashion. But for Steph Kennelly, her professional journey took a dramatic turn—one that was unexpected yet profoundly purposeful. A proud alum of the University of Minnesota, her path led her back to the University, not through a traditional career ladder, but through a deeply personal battle with cancer. The experience transformed her into a passionate advocate and program manager at the Center for Genome Engineering.

Steph’s connection to the University runs deep. A 2005 graduate of the School of Education, she is rooted in the maroon and gold. She and her husband, also an alum, are dedicated Gopher fans, with season tickets for football. Even their two cats are named Humphrey and Mondale. Her loyalty to the University is a foundational part of her story.

Her initial career was her "dream job" in West Saint Paul, where she taught at an environmental magnet school and managed the theater program. She lovedher work and the community she built. But in 2020, as the world grappled with the pandemic, Steph faced a new challenge: a cancer diagnosis. This life-altering event forced her to take a leave of absence and re-evaluate her life. After three years of treatment, she realized a new purpose drove her; "I just feel like I want to try to cure cancer."

With that singular goal, she did what seemed most logical: she Googled "jobs, University of Minnesota, cancer." She didn’t have an updated resume and hadn't been on LinkedIn, having held the same job since she was 23. But fate intervened. She was quickly contacted by Branden Moriarity, co-director of the Center for Genome Engineering, who was looking to hire the Center's first dedicated administrator.

Stepping into her new role, Steph found herself in a position with no template to follow. She leaned on her strengths as a teacher. "I'm very passionate about community outreach," she says, explaining her belief that people can't value what they don't understand. She has since launched the Center's social media and website, and established a presence at community events, including Pride, STEMfest, the Bell Museum, and the Minnesota State Fair. Her goal is to “talk to the people” about complex research in an accessible way.

Her efforts quickly expanded. She organized a visit with Senators Amy Klobuchar and Tina Smith to discuss NIH funding cuts, partnered with Helen’s Pink Sky foundation to find a cure for Batten’s disease, and helped inspire Emelia, a bright 11 year old girl with non-speaking autism, showing her that she too has the power to transform science. She launched the ‘Un-TIL It’s Cured’ initiative to raise money for cancer research in the Center and organized teams of Center members to garner team science funding. To date, Steph’s efforts have raised nearly $400,000 (and counting) in philanthropic funds.

What truly fuels Steph’s passion is the culture of her workplace. She describes the environment as a “people-centered mission” that “makes her want to work harder.” Steph explains, "Bringing your best self to work requires consistently practicing the habits that sustain your well-being,”"

This supportive environment has empowered her to excel, even without a background in scientific program management. She feels this role is her true purpose, and she's giving it "1,000% of my energy." Her positivity is a force within the Center. Steph sees herself as a "team cheerleader," motivating her colleagues through grant writing and administrative tasks so they can focus on their research.

Her connection to cancer research remains her driving force. She's actively involved in a major initiative to raise $5 million to continue the clinical trial’s success through ‘Un-TIL It’s Cured’. “I have a deeply personal mission,” she explains. The work at the U is not just a job; it’s a way for her to honor her journey and the journeys of others she’s met along the way.

Steph Kennelly’s story is evidence of the power of purpose and the impact of a positive work culture. Her journey, born from adversity, has led her to a place where she can channel her, energy, empathy, and skills into work that has profound implications for the world. To her, working at the University of Minnesota is a blessing—a place where she can be a part of something significant and is not only valued for what she does, but also for who she is, the perfect blend of passion and purpose.