Vice President of Marketing, Uwill

Kelly Downing is a marketing veteran with more than 20 years experience working with sports teams, international sporting events, agencies, and brands. Since 2020, Downing has served in a consulting role as the Vice President of Marketing for Uwill, a mission-based EdTech startup that provides teletherapy and wellness solutions to colleges and students.

Downing began her career with the New England Patriots and New England Revolution managing marketing, broadcast production, events, sales, PR, and game-entertainment, among other responsibilities. Downing worked with a committee to create the marketing, sales, and PR blueprint for the Kraft family’s privately financed stadium, Gillette Stadium. The stadium sold out of all ticket, premium seating and sponsorship inventory before opening day. Another of Downing’s successes includes MLS Cup 2002, which earned Major League Soccer a history-making 62,000 fans for the league’s championship match. Downing managed the Patriots TV Network, increasing rights fee revenue 300 percent in four years. She helped to launch Patriots.com Radio, which featured 12 hours daily of unique Patriots programming, and served as a co-host and producer. She also hosted a series of video updates on the new stadium construction progress. For Super Bowl XXXVI, Downing oversaw the team’s events, sponsorship activation and hospitality, earning a NFL World Championship ring following the Patriots’ victory.

Downing spent the next 15 years of her career on the agency side of the business, working with Cone Communications, TrinityOne, Elevate Communications, and state6 in a variety of roles, including Chief Marketing Officer and Chief Operating Officer. She managed agency operations, as well as marketing strategy, designs, events, sales, sponsorships/ partnerships, digital and social media, and public relations for some of the most recognized teams and brands in the world. Brand experience includes Starbucks, Yoplait, Fjallraven, Green Giant, Ocean Spray, and Red Bull. Sports experience includes Boston Red Sox, Liverpool FC, Fenway Sports Management, Millwall FC, Boston Celtics, Richard Childress Racing, Phoenix Thoroughbreds, Alicia Sacramone (Olympic gymnast), Rob Gronkowski and Chris Hogan (NFL), Isaiah Thomas (NBA), Taylor Twellman (MLS), FIFA Women’s World Cup, CONCACAF Gold Cup, and the Head of the Charles Regatta.

Downing graduated from Syracuse University with a bachelor of science in broadcast journalism (1998) and master of science in public relations (1999) from the S.I. Newhouse School of Public Communications. She serves on the board of the Play Ball Foundation and the Redhawk Foundation, both of which provide financial support for youth sports activities.