What’s Kelly’s Background?

Kelly grew up in New Hanover county from the age of 5, in the NE part of Wilmington. She went to college at the University of Miami, spent time in San Francisco as an EMT, lifeguard & swim instructor, then went to medical school back at the University of Miami.

Dr. Kelly McConnell for New Hanover Soil & Water Board of Supervisors — About

Kelly grew up in New Hanover county from the age of 5, in the NE part of Wilmington. She went to college at the University of Miami, spent time in San Francisco as an EMT, lifeguard & swim instructor, then went to medical school back at the University of Miami.

Kelly McConnell grew up in northeastern Wilmington, New Hanover County, starting at age 5. She attended college and medical school at the University of Miami.

Kelly went to college at the University of Miami, spent time in San Francisco as an EMT, lifeguard & swim instructor, then went to medical school back at the University of Miami. Kelly trained as a pediatrician in Denver, CO then practiced in Carson City, NV, just east of Lake Tahoe. In 2018, Kelly returned to Wilmington to be closer to family (& the beach) when she medically retired from clinical pediatrics.

Kelly trained as a pediatrician in Denver, CO then practiced in Carson City, NV, just east of Lake Tahoe. In 2018, Kelly returned to Wilmington to be closer to family (& the beach) when she medically retired from clinical pediatrics.

Kelly McConnell is medically retired from practicing clinical pediatrics. She trained as a pediatrician in Denver and practiced in Carson City, Nevada.

Kelly McConnell (New Hanover County Soil and Water ... - Ballotpedia

Kelly is a first-time candidate for political office.

2026 North Carolina General Election

In The Past Few Years, I've Advocated For Our Local Environment With These Organizations. We're Working Together To Protect The West Bank Of The Cape Fear River, Protect Sledge Forest From An Environmental & Community Damaging Development, Prevent The Catastrophic Deepening Of The Cape Fear River, Protect Our Water Supply From Unfair Usage,, Demand Better Protection From Toxins In Our Water (Like PFAS).

New Hanover County resident Kelly McConnell expressed concerns that the proposed expansion of the Castle Hayne quarry would exacerbate flooding in the area.

“This area is already at high risk and this risk is increasing,” she said. “There are alternatives available that do not impact the wetlands as much and do not impact water quality. I appreciate the need for additional mining. Do it if truly needed, but with much less environmental impact.”

Residents urge mining firm to find other expansion options

Hello! I’m An Environmental Advocate Who Gathers The Community To Fight For A Better New Hanover County For All. We Live In A Beautiful Area With Wonderful Natural Resources, Which We Must Protect And Manage Both Now And For Our Future.

With a background in science and medicine, Kelly can evaluate multiple complex pieces of information with nuance and communicate this with the board and the community. She will consider the impact of the health of our environment on the health of our community. She has experience in grant writing which will help gather funding for more projects and programs within the county.

Advocates for protecting the Cape Fear River, Sledge Forest, water supplies, and water from per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS).

Advocates for protecting the Cape Fear River, Sledge Forest, water supplies, and water from toxins like PFAS.

Calls for alternatives to quarry expansion that reduce impacts on wetlands and water quality.

Supports protecting and managing local natural resources for current and future residents.

Plans to consider how environmental health affects community health.

- Advocates for protecting the Cape Fear River, Sledge Forest, water supplies, and water from toxins like PFAS.
- Calls for alternatives to quarry expansion that reduce impacts on wetlands and water quality.
- Supports protecting and managing local natural resources for current and future residents.
- Plans to consider how environmental health affects community health.

Energy & the Environment

Kelly is a local community member who, like many residents, knew little about the Soil & Water Conservation District Board — yet the board's work holds real potential to benefit our homes and businesses. The challenge is simple: our community can only benefit from work it knows about. She will bring her experience and passion in building community in the environmental advocacy space to Soil & Water - to create more engagement in both directions.

Plans to increase two-way community engagement with the Soil and Water Conservation District Board.

Plans to use grant-writing experience to seek funding for more county projects and programs.

- Plans to increase two-way community engagement with the Soil and Water Conservation District Board.
- Plans to use grant-writing experience to seek funding for more county projects and programs.

Administration

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Kelly McConnell

- Supports protecting and managing local natural resources for current and future residents.
- Plans to consider how environmental health affects community health.

Isaac Brickman

Buket Urgen

Cate Calson

DeAndre Corniffe

Frank Christopher Meares

- A soil and water conservation district supervisor is 1 member of a board of 5 supervisors that works to improve the soil and water quality in the county through education. 
- The board of supervisors provide technical and financial assistance to help land users maintain their land and surrounding ecosystems. 
- The board of supervisors design long term conservation programs that teach environmental care, pollution reduction, and provide incentives for using these practices, especially for agricultural workers. 
- The board of supervisors provide short term educational services like competitions, field days, and workshops to educate the public on conservation. 
- Soil and water conservation district supervisors are elected to 4 year terms in non-partisan races. However, 2 of the board members are appointed by the state soil and water commission. 

Member of board of supervisors that creates aid programs and educates people on environmental conservation. 