About Kelly Larson

Kelly serves as Human Rights Director for the City of Dubuque, Iowa. She holds a Bachelor of Science degree in psychology and a law degree from the University of Iowa, along with an Intercultural Professional Certificate from the Intercultural Communication Institute. Under her leadership, the department has grown from a staff of two people focused solely on case investigations to a staff of four focused on developing shared responsibility throughout the organization and the community for advancing equity and inclusion.

Past professional experience includes serving as an adjunct professor for Clarke University and the University of Dubuque, and serving as Assistant Regional Counsel for the United States Department of Health and Human Services and the Social Security Administration.

Kelly has held leadership positions in local and regional civil and human rights organizations and currently serves as the President of the League of Iowa Human Rights Agencies, Inc. She was a founding member of the Multicultural Family Center in Dubuque where she continues to serve on the Board of Directors. She has been recognized by the Dubuque Chapter of the NAACP, the Great Plains ADA Center, the Dubuque International Day of Peace Coordinating Committee, and the Telegraph Herald for her work on human and civil rights.

Kelly grew up on a farm outside of Epworth, Iowa, the product of a blended Irish-German heritage. She spent her formative years developing multi-racial, multi-ethnic friendships with students at Divine Word College. A first generation college student, she worked as a food service worker, a crisis counselor, a psychiatric aide, and an assistant in a group home for youth with disabilities while pursuing her education. She credits these rich experiences as setting the foundation of her passion for advancing equity and inclusion.