Kelsey Harmon Finn

Meet

KELSEY HARMON FINN

VP of Ambassador Community Relations at Compass Group

A VIRTUAL PORTFOLIO

, e r e h t o l Hel

Y E S L E K I’m Kelsey is the new Vice President of Ambassador Community Relations at Compass Group.

In this role, Kelsey will be responsible for developing strategic relationships within Chartwells Higher Education as well as other Compass sectors. The primary goal of the team is to identify Client opportunities, critical industry business challenges and best in class solutions from within the industry.

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A FOCUS ON HIGHER EDUCATION

More than ever, higher education and business need each other. The traditions of education mixed with the innovation of business can really create great opportunity for future generations. My focus will be on working together with our operations, sales team, and client partners to leverage resources to provide the best possible service and experience for students. My role will be to listen, research, and provide tools, solutions, options to create space and food for students to feel safe, secure, and cared for, leading to individual success.

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MY CAREER JOURNEY I found what would be my true calling during an internship with the Oak Brook Area Association of Commerce and Industry - helping people develop critical skills for life.

I went onto to get my masters in higher ed administration while working full time at Illinois State University. I was the person in theory classes asking how funding worked, and have spent my career creating spaces and cultures of care while generating revenue to provide services.

My next stop was at the University of California, Berkeley. I was brought on to oversee the largest student fee funded project that was not directly related to an academic building. Here is where I learned about my own identity, biases, and beliefs.

From Berkeley I had the opportunity to be the CEO of NACAS (National Association of College Auxiliary Services). This role provided insights to the auxiliary services industry, to see trends, and provide a community for networking, resources, and impact. At NACAS I was able to work with many campus professionals, hundreds of corporate partners, and think strategically with other associations.

For the last year I have been the Vice President and General Manager for Michigan Sports Properties as a part of LEARFIELD. I am thrilled that my journey has lead me to the Compass team, focused on the higher education market. I believe this role is an amazing opportunity to bring my past experiences together in one role that I am incredibly passionate about. What better way to positively impact human success than to help meet the basic needs of students through food and facilities?

ABOUT ME What did you want to be when you grew up?

A Marine Biologist What are some of your hobbies?

Anything workout related, endurance sports, triathlons, hiking, puzzling.

What is your proudest moment?

I have many, but one was completing the Ironman 70.3 North Carolina three years after having back surgery. The commitment to training was next level and I kept showing up. I listened to my trainer, trusted the process, and did better than I expected.

How are you breaking barriers in your field?

For most of my career I have been the first woman in all the positions from Executive Director on campus to CEO of NACAS to Vice President/General Manager at a power 5 school. I am hopeful I have opened others eyes to women in leadership, to have created a path for women and girls to see themselves in leadership roles, and to do this all with care What advice do you have for those in your field?

Pause and listen. There is nothing more in life than the want to be heard and seen.

WHAT IS A QUOTE YOU LIVE BY?

You were born an original don’t die a copy.

– John Mason

LOOKING TO THE FUTURE

Why were you driven to work for Compass Group?

I have worked alongside Compass and Chartwells for several years as a client and partner and believe in the culture and vision. I have always been impressed how the company’s beliefs and actions match. The opportunity to positively impact higher education through corporate partnerships is needed now more than ever and I am excited to be part of an organization poised to do this work with a human-centered approach.

What do you think the future of dining is?

I think the future of dining is multifaceted from the type of food to how food is consumed. I believe there is great privilege as a company that has operations on many campuses as well as many industries to be able to see patterns, leverage learnings, and bring the best to each client based on their needs and our resources.