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Office Hours

T 02:45 PM-05:15 PM
W 10:00 AM-12:30 PM

Deborah L. Kelly, Esq. is an Associate Professor of Management teaching courses such as Human Resource Management, Strategic Human Resource Management; Government & Business, Management Principles, and Global Connections. She is also the President and Co-Founder of the Kelly Family Cuidiu Foundation, a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization which provides annual support to more than 60 charitble organizations. Prior to joining the faculty in 2004, she was the Regional Managing Partner of the Albany Office of Hodgson Russ LLP, concentrating her practice in the areas of corporate and commercial litigation. She is a past-president of the Capital Region Bankruptcy Bar Association and is a past-chair of the New York State Conference of Bar Leaders. She has written and published several articles in the fields of human resource management and global studies. Prof. Kelly received her J.D. from Albany Law School of Union University and received her B.S. in Management from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute. She is admitted to practice law in New York & Florida, and in numerous Federal District Courts. She is SPHR certified by the Human Resource Certification Institute.

Degree Program University
J.D. Law Albany Law School of Union University
B.S. Management Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute

My Siena Experience

My Teaching Philosophy

In addition to traditional classroom teaching, the hours that we spend with students outside the classroom, during extra office hours, advising a student club, informally chatting with students in the hallways or mentoring students on issues not directly related to substantive course content, all contribute to our students’ complete education. It is our mission to offer “values oriented, intellectually stimulating educational programs that prepare students for business careers and continuing intellectual and professional development.” I take that mission statement to heart, and every day I try to make sure that I am doing my part towards fulfilling that mission.

What I Love About Siena

I love teaching at Siena because I get to know my students on a personal level. Due to small class sizes, my involvement with student clubs, chaperoning international study tours, and my various mentoring and advising activities, I have really gotten to know so many of my students as individuals. I can then better assist them with choosing a career that fits their talents and interests, and I enjoy staying in touch with students even after they graduate.

My Favorite Courses to Teach

I enjoy teaching Human Resource Management because it directly relates to real world work experiences that the students may have already had and will continue to have after graduation. Through active class discussions, case studies and small group exercises, we apply the laws and concepts set forth in the textbook to fact patterns and scenarios that the students will use as managers and supervisors, regardless of their career path. I also enjoyed teaching the Global Connections business study tour course. After classroom preparation and the study of current international business issues throughout the semester, the entire class traveled together on a two-week study tour to a country such as Italy, Greece, Turkey, Costa Rica, France or Morocco.

My Professional Experience

Year Title Organization
2011 - 2017 Chair, Management Department Siena College
2011 - Now President (2019-present); Co-Founder & Director (2011-2018) Kelly Family Cuidiu Foundation
2010 - Now Associate Professor of Management (Tenured) Siena College
2004 - 2010 Assistant Professor of Management Siena College
2004 - 2017 Special Counsel Hodgson Russ LLP
2002 - 2003 Adjunct Instructor in Human Resources Management The State University of New York College of Agriculture and Technology at Cobleskill
2001 - 2004 Lecturer in Marketing and Management Siena College
1999 - 2004 Regional Managing Partner Hodgson Russ LLP
1993 - 2004 Partner Hodgson Russ LLP
1991 - 1992 Associate Attorney Hodgson Russ LLP
1987 - 1991 Associate Attorney Hiscock & Barclay
1985 - 1987 Law Clerk Hiscock & Barclay
1983 - 1984 Marketing Intern IBM Corporation

Current Research

Research interests include various Human Resource Management and International Business topics.

Articles & Book Reviews

  • Exploring MBTI as a Training and Development Tool for Undergraduate Resident Assistants
    Leadership & Organizational Management Journal, vol. 2013
    October, 2013
  • Planning, Organizing and Leading Short-Term International Study Tours: Logistics, Safety and Pedagogy
    International Society for Business Education
    2012
  • The Causes and Effects of a Study Abroad Experience
    Institute of Behavioral and Applied Management
    October, 2010
  • Legal Considerations for the 21st Century Practitioner: Age Discrimination in Employment Act, COBRA and ADA
    New York State Bar Association: Women on The Move
    2010
  • Legal Considerations for the 21st Century Practitioner: Equal Pay Act, Civil Rights Act, FMLA and Health Care Regulation
    New York State Bar Association: Women on The Move
    2009
  • Obedience to the Unenforceable: Ethical Imperatives in Serving the Vulnerable
    Ethics & Critical Thinking, vol. 2008
    September, 2008
  • Bridging the Workforce Chasm: Why Technology-Driven Increases in Nursing Productivity are the Key to Competitve Success in the Healthcare Industry
    Business Journal For Entrepreneurs
    2008
  • U.S. - Cuban Economic Relations: Are Canadian and European Businesses Getting a Head Start?
    Insights to a Changing World, vol. 2007
    2007
  • Obedience to the Unenforceable: Ethical Imperatives in Serving the Vulnerable
    Atlantic Marketing Association Meeting, vol. 12
    September, 2006
  • Bridging the Workforce Chasm: Why Technology-Driven Increases in Nursing Productivity are the key to Competitive Success in the Healthcare Industry
    Eastern Academy of Management Annual Meeting
    May, 2006
  • Undergraduate Study Abroad Experiences: Changing Attitudes Towards Cultural Diversity and Careers
    Insights to a Changing World, vol. 2013
    Fall/Winter, 2013

Awards & Distinctions

  • The WEC President's Award is given to the person who does an extraordinary job overall for Women's Executive Council of Orlando
    Category: Service-Professional
    Women's Executive Council of Orlando, 2021
  • Outstanding Service Award
    Category: Service-Professional
    Women's Executive Council of Orlando, 2020
  • Honoree at Annual Dinner (9/19/15)
    Category: Service-Community
    Friends of Fontaine - St. Gabriel's School in Fontaine, Haiti, 2015
  • Volunteer of the Year at Annual Dinner (5/19/15)
    Category: Service-Community
    Catholic Charities of the Diocese of Albany, NY - Executive Office, 2015
  • Partner in Hope - "Hope for the Homeless" dinner honoree (10/28/13)
    Category: Service-Community
    Catholic Charities of the Diocese of Albany, NY, 2013
  • 2011 Outstanding Service Award
    Category: Service-University
    Siena College - School of Business, 2011
  • 2010 Outstanding Teacher Award
    Category: Teaching
    Siena College - School of Business, 2010
  • Professor of the Year
    Category: Teaching
    Beta Gamma Sigma - Siena College Chapter, 2010
  • Community Partner Award
    Category: Service-University
    Whitney Young Foundation, 2007
  • Finalist
    Category: Teaching
    Jerome Walton Excellence in Teaching Award, 2007
  • Finalist
    Category: Teaching
    Jerome Walton Excellence in Teaching Award, 2006
  • 40 under 40 Award
    Category: Other
    Capital District Business Review, 2000
  • McNamee Award
    Category: Other
    The Urban League of NENY, Inc., 1998

Books & Book Chapters

  • Warren's Weed New York Real Property
    Matthew Bender & Co., Inc.
    2005

Presentations

  • Algorithms for Success: It's About the People
    September, 2018
    Grupo Guayacan, San Juan, PR, San Juan, Puerto Rico
  • Multidisciplinary Short-Term International Study Tours: Finding the Appropriate Balance Between Curriculum, Culture, Affordability, Safety & Fun
    November, 2016
    * Accepted but not presented, Los Angeles, California
  • Integrating meaningful community service into an undergraduate business course
    May, 2014
    Sustainability, Ethics and Entrepreneurship Conference 2014, Denver, Colorado
  • Planning, Organizing and Leading Short-Term International Study Tours: Logistics, Safety and Pedagogy
    August, 2012
    International Society for Business Education, Denver, Colorado
  • The Causes and Effects of a Study Abroad Experience.
    October, 2010
    Institute of Behavioral and Applied Management, San Diego, California
  • Legal Considerations for the 21st Century Practitioner: Age Discrimination in Employment Act, COBRA and ADA
    2010
    New York State Bar Association: Women on The Move, Albany, New York
  • Legal Considerations for the 21st Century Practitioner: Equal Pay Act, Civil Rights Act, FMLA and Health Care Regulation
    April, 2009
    New York State Bar Association: Women on The Move, Albany, New York
  • Reflections on Service-Learning in a College Business Class
    2009
    Capital Region Academic Service Learning K-16 Summer Conference, Loudonville, New York
  • How to Incorporate Experiential Learning in Every Course Using Dee Fink's Learning Paradigm
    August, 2008
    Academy of Management Annual Meeting, Anaheim, California
  • Obedience to the Unenforceable: Ethical Imperatives in Serving the Vulnerable
    September, 2006
    Atlantic Marketing Association Meeting, Charleston, South Carolina
  • Bridging the Workforce Chasm: Why Technology-Driven Increases in Nursing Productivity are the Key to Competitive Success in the Healthcare Industry
    May, 2006
    Eastern Academy of Management Annual Meeting, Saratoga Springs, New Mexico
  • Economic Development Opportunities in Cuba: Are European Companies Taking Full Advantage of the Head Start?
    May, 2006
    International Conference on European and International Political & Economic Affairs, Athens, Greece