This story is exclusive to subscribers.

Chattanooga Regional Homeless Coalition finds its new executive director close to home

Staff photo by Olivia Ross / Mackenzie Kelly, the new executive director of the Chattanooga Regional Homeless Coalition, poses for a photo on Monday. She has worked for the organization since March 2021. Staff photo by Olivia Ross / Mackenzie Kelly, the new executive director of the Chattanooga Regional Homeless Coalition, poses for a photo on Monday. She has worked for the organization since March 2021.

By David Floyd June 17, 2024 5 min read

Mackenzie Kelly’s grandmother is a social worker who has worked with children for years, still practicing child counseling and therapy.

“Our entire life, she’s kind of been somebody that I’ve looked up to,” Kelly said in a phone interview.

Kelly said she pursued a career helping others in part because of the example set by her grandmother. After about three and a half years serving in various roles, Kelly last week started her new job as executive director of the Chattanooga Regional Homeless Coalition. She has headed the agency on an interim basis for about 10 months.