Distinguished as a leading expert in effective communication and helping people understand themselves, Kristen Donnelly, PhD, is recognized for her insightful research and dynamic presentations. In 2016, she founded Abbey Research, where she currently conducts comprehensive research on emerging topics and trends to inform client strategies. Dr. Donnelly’s work involves tailoring interactive sessions to address specific client needs, fostering meaningful discussions and feedback, outreach and engagement. Her current research focuses on how internet celebrity culture fosters parasocial relationships, examining the emotional connections fans form with online personalities despite the inherently one-sided nature of these interactions.
Concurrently with her work at Abbey Research, Dr. Donnelly has served as a co-founder of the Community Research Institute since 2020, further expanding her influence in research spaces. Since 2014 she has held the position of chief operations officer at Abbey Color, a family-owned dye company, where she oversees operations of the organization’s original Philadelphia facility. Dr. Donnelly was exposed to the family business at a young age; her family acquired Abbey Color when she was just 7 years old. Continuing to honor the legacy of the business, she and her brother gained legal ownership of the company in 2021.
Dr. Donnelly began her professional journey while completing her studies. She contributed as a sociology tutor at Queen’s University Belfast and a graduate assistant at Baylor University. Her first career opportunity came in 2009 as a social work consultant for UrbanPromise, applying her expertise in community planning to support youth programs.
Before venturing onto her vocational path, Dr. Donnelly pursued an extensive academic background that would prove foundational to her success, beginning with a Master of Science in Social Work with a focus on international community planning from Baylor University in 2009. Staying at that institution, she obtained a Master of Divinity in cross-cultural religious anthropology from Baylor’s George W. Truett Theological Seminary, graduating magna cum laude in 2011. Subsequently, Dr. Donnelly earned a PhD in sociology from Queen’s University Belfast in 2015. She is additionally certified as a public speaker through The Big Talk Academy.
Dr. Donnelly has been a member of several important organizations relevant to her field. She maintains active membership in the National Association of Women Business Owners, the North American Association for the Study of Religion, the Forbes Business Council and the National Association of Social Workers. Dr. Donnelly’s status in the industry has opened numerous opportunities to share her insight. Most notably, she has been a guest speaker for multiple TEDx Talks and co-authored the 2023 book “The Culture of Burnout: Why Your Exhaustion Is Not Your Fault.”
Driven by empathy and deep curiosity about human behavior, Dr. Donnelly credits her accomplishments to the unwavering support of her family and mentors, especially during her formative years at Baylor University. Both her approach to complex social issues and her passion for true crime are fueled by a desire to truly understand the motivations of other people rather than simply labeling them as bad or evil. Dr. Donnelly’s adventurous spirit has been encouraged by her parents — a level of support that has been essential in many instances, such as when she accepted a youth work position in Northern Ireland without prior knowledge of the country. This strong foundation has enabled her to navigate challenging topics such as trauma while maintaining balance across personal and professional spheres.
Dr. Donnelly has also demonstrated robust civic engagement. Since 2018, she has served as a board member for UrbanPromise International, following previous contributions on the boards for UrbanPromise UK and the Baptist Joint Committee for Religious Liberty. Dr. Donnelly was a founding board member for The Campus Kitchen Project at Baylor University, where she also coordinated volunteers. She supports World Central Kitchen and Partners in Health.
Outside of her career, Dr. Donnelly is a loving wife. She finds relaxation through attending sporting events, creative writing and crocheting. One of her long-term goals is to visit every baseball stadium and hockey arena in the United States.
On a professional level, Dr. Donnelly is dedicated to achieving excellence while expanding her influence through continued research, writing and impactful training for organizations worldwide. She is focused on empathy and insight rather than profit. Dr. Donnelly hopes to improve lives through genuine action rooted in understanding human behavior — a principle that guides both her daily work in the present and her future aspirations.