Until early 2025, Kelly Timmons lived with her husband, Paul, along St. Helena Sound in the South Carolina Lowcountry. Food has always been central to Lowcountry culture, and to Kelly's own life. Her southern heritage and her relationship to food shape the work she does today.

After Hurricane Helene devastated Western North Carolina, Kelly and Paul relocated to continue food security work in an area of high need. They've since become a steady presence in their community, supporting programming and resources across Appalachia, a region long known as a food desert.

In 2023, Kelly received the Susan M. Daniels Award, given to those making a significant difference in the lives of youth and adults with disabilities through mentoring, and to raise awareness of the importance of mentoring people with disabilities.

For 10 years, Kelly owned and operated a food manufacturing company, bringing more than thirty brand lines to hundreds of retail locations. Food sovereignty and security are deeply tied to her Lowcountry roots.

Kelly identifies as a person with a disability and has long mentored, employed, and advocated alongside women and girls with disabilities. She believes the best way to honor the history of the disability rights movement is to empower its rising leaders.