IOP instructor Kelly Merricks, bridging personal and professional worlds

In the heart of rural Virginia, amidst the rolling tobacco fields and textile mills, lies the small town of Gretna. Here, nestled between Lynchburg and Danville, Kelly Merricks’s journey began. Born to a Cuban father and a mother from southwest Virginia, Merricks’s upbringing was a tapestry of diverse influences that would shape her life in profound ways.

At the center of Merricks’s world stood her family, the cornerstone of her identity. Her mother, a dedicated 12th-grade English teacher, not only taught Merricks and her friends but also left an indelible mark on the entire community over her 36-year tenure.

Meanwhile, Merricks’s Cuban grandparents, whom Merricks affectionately refers to as her Abuelos, brought with them a rich heritage of resilience and perseverance. Leaving behind a life well-off, they fled Cuba and were forced to rebuild their lives in the small town of Gretna. Their commitment to helping others, even in the face of personal adversity, left an enduring imprint on Merricks’s worldview. They taught her the value of compassion and the power of human connection, principles that would guide her throughout her life.

“As they built their life and became more financially successful, they always helped friends and family,” Merricks noted. “They stayed in touch with almost everyone they ever met, and their home was always open for visitors. They stayed connected to family and friends despite being in different states, territories, and countries.”

Merricks’s path took an unexpected turn when she embarked on a brief stint in medical school, only to realize that her true calling lay elsewhere. Despite the setback, Merricks emerged stronger and more determined than ever, charting a new course in the nonprofit healthcare system.

At the Sheltering Arms Foundation, she found her niche, leveraging her innate ability to build relationships and connect with others to make a meaningful impact on the lives of patients, families, and communities.

“Relationships and connections are at the heart of what I do, and I couldn’t do it in another role,” Merricks shared. “I have a much greater impact on people now than I ever would have as a physician.” 

Merricks currently serves as a member of the advisory board of the UR’s Institute on Philanthropy (IOP), a program of the School of Professional & Continuing Studies (SPCS). She also shares her experience and knowledge inside the classroom as an instructor for IOP’s Fund Development Institute.

“Sharing stories from my experience — successes and failures — and hearing from the students’ own personal experiences helps everyone, including me, to learn,” Merricks said.

Beginning in summer 2024, Merricks will be stepping into a new role as the facilitator of the Fund Development Institute, leading the participants through each module and weaving a common thread through all the different elements of the course.

As Merricks continues her work at Sheltering Arms to provide funding for patients and programs not covered by insurance, her journey serves as a beacon of hope and inspiration for those who seek to make a difference in the world. With each step forward, she carries forward the legacy of her Abuelos, honoring their spirit of resilience and compassion in everything she does.