Kelly Capps

Athlete, Brainstormer, Christian, Entrepreneur, Idea generator, Parent, Philanthropist, Project manager, Public servant, Startup

As a public servant for the past 12 years, Kelly Capps started her professional career as a community support worker at a substance abuse rehabilitation center for women, then worked her way through graduate school as a policy researcher and volunteered at Big Brothers Big Sisters as a development intern. In 2007 Capps entered the federal government workforce, gaining experience in communications, public affairs, real estate, customer service, program management and small business development. Among her career endeavors and achievements, Capps views her greatest accomplishments are her boys. She is a mother of one biological son and adopted a son from China in 2014. Capps harnesses a passion for special needs adoption and strives to provide support resources for adoption families and generate momentum to change the current understandings of adoption in China. Kelly Capps is currently a full time federal employee with GSA in Kansas City, MO, working in the Small Business Governmentwide Acquisition Contracts (GWAC) Division. In her current role, Capps' strategic perspective and ability to leverage her networks to bring about new business opportunities has been identified as one of her most valuable attributes to this team. As a Business Management Specialist, Capps manages outreach to promote GSA GWACs IT services through the planning, development and organizing of training webinars and workshop meetings. She serves as a project manager for business initiatives, and is currently working on the development of a new small business set-aside contract vehicle that provides flexible access to customized IT solutions from a qualified, diverse pool of service disabled, veteran owned small businesses. Capps drive and compassion for serving the greater good has lead her in great personal and professional success. Capps has a competitive spirit and love of fitness and nutrition. As a result, she has competed in four fitness competitions placing in the top 5 within her category, under the natural bodybuilding arena, stepping on stage in 2009 (INBF), 2010(INBF), 2012(NANB), with plans of competing again in the near future. After the adoption of her son and while in process of adopting a daughter, she and her husband, decided that they not only wanted to increase their involvement in the adoption community, but want to create a brand and company that will educate, advocate and act to support orphans and the adoption families; while incorporating a charitable giving back model. Capps is currently exploring her avenues to make her dream a reality.

Making a difference in the lives of children, specifically special need orphans. I want to support other families in their adoption journey, educate the truth and bring attention to the real issues.

Adoption in China and the special needs children. Did you know that the orphanages are full of special needs boys. Did you know that the waiting list to adopt a healthy and special needs girl continues to grow, while boys are growing up in these institutions. Did you know that special needs determination in China may mean something as minor as food allergies, or a missing digit, or cleft lip/ cleft palate? Did you know that children over 4 years of age are often considered special needs in China? There are a lot of misconceptions about adopting from China. After explaining the Wait List Program, I often get questions about my sons special need. He was born with a cleft lip and cleft palate, but both were repaired in China. There are a lot of great organizations in China that are caring for these children. You can help. If we are more educated as a society about the orphans of China, I believe more boys and special need children would be coming home to forever families.

Adoption, Communication, Doing Business with Government, Fitness & Nutrition, Fitness & Training, Net working, Program Management, Strategic Communications Public Relations

While brainstorming with two of my friends and sharing my dream to make an impact on the adoption community and the way the world looks at special needs adoption, I shared ideas in the realm of starting a not-for-profit or a business. I was sharing my vision of a line of offerings that would support new adoption unions. Think of an expecting mother about to deliver her first baby. As a society we celebrate that birth with gifts and baby showers, etc. But often in the adoption world, these expecting mothers are forgotten. And often, families and friends don't know what sort of gift to give.What would be helpful? As I shared my concept with my girlfriends, and how I wanted proceeds to go directly to orphan care, I was suggested to turn to TED Talks for inspiration. Although I my friend had pointed me there to listen to others inspirational stories to gain momentum for my own thoughts, I saw it as an opportunity, a platform. I saw the name of this conference and knew I needed to attend.

Policy research. Advocacy. Public speaking. Interior design. Decorating on a dime. Re-purposing furniture. Soccer.