Emily Kelly named Irrigation Association director of workforce and professional development
ARLINGTON, VIRGINIA (September 2, 2026) — The Irrigation Association has hired Emily Kelly, CAE, as its new director of workforce and professional development. Kelly brings more than 20 years of experience advancing professional communities through learning, operations and strategic execution for mission-driven organizations.
In this new role, Kelly will build and lead an ecosystem of programs, partnerships and pathways that help irrigation professionals enter the industry, advance within it and stay, from career awareness to credential attainment and life-long learning.
She was previously the director of learning and professional development for the Association of College and University Housing Officers International, where she led the redesign of volunteer committee structures and standardized program delivery across the association’s education portfolio. Before that, as vice president of professional development at the Houston Apartment Association, she led a transformation of the credential program portfolio that grew annual participation by 400%, launched the first young professional program and pioneered mental health training for the multifamily industry.
“We are excited to welcome Emily Kelly to the Irrigation Association,” said Natasha Rankin, CEO of the Irrigation Association. “Emily’s experience strengthening professional communities and elevating industry standards, as well as her deep understanding of the important role credentialed professionals play in trade industries, make her an ideal leader to help transform the IA’s workforce and credentialing strategy into measurable growth. Her expertise will be instrumental as we continue to build value-added and lasting relationships with our members.”
Kelly is a Certified Association Executive (CAE) and studied communications and political science at Indiana University Indianapolis.
“The Irrigation Association plays an important role in strengthening the industry, and I’m excited to join the team at a time when developing and supporting the irrigation workforce is so critical,” said Kelly. “There is a tremendous opportunity to build lasting programs that help professionals grow, strengthen the industry’s talent pipeline and ensure IA members have access to meaningful education and credentials throughout their careers. I look forward to working with IA members, volunteers, staff and partners to strengthen professional development and create opportunities that support both the people working in irrigation today and the workforce of the future.”