Kelley is a native of Alexandria, Virginia. She is a 2000 graduate of Virginia Polytechnic Institute & State University (Virginia Tech) with a Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering and was commissioned through the Navy Reserve Officer Training Corps scholarship program via the Corps of Cadets. As a Surface Warfare Officer, Kelley has served on multiple combatants to include USS SEATTLE (AOE-3), USS GETTYSBURG (CG-64), USS MUSTIN (DDG-89), and commanded USS TYPHOON (PC-5) and USS DONALD COOK (DDG-75). In August 2004, Kelley received her Master of Business Administration from the George Washington University. She subsequently served on staffs at the Department of State, Deputy Chief of Naval Operations for operations, plans and strategy (N3/N5), and Office of the Secretary of Defense for Policy. Kelley is interested in the evolving strategic partnership between China and Russia, and its impact on international security structure.