Dr. Va Lecia Adams Kellum Founder and CEO of 2Elevate
As a seasoned executive with over two decades of leadership across the nonprofit and public sectors, Dr. Adams Kellum brings a unique and tested lens to coaching seasoned and emerging leaders preparing for executive and C-suite roles. Her work centers on building institutions, leading system change, and fostering mission-driven leadership grounded in equity, excellence, and community impact.
In her coaching practice, she supports professionals in navigating the complexities of executive leadership—from board dynamics and budget oversight to strategic visioning and organizational turnaround—while honoring the cultural, emotional, and systemic realities that often shape leadership journeys.
Previously, Dr. Adams Kellum served as CEO of the Los Angeles Homeless Services Authority (LAHSA), the lead agency for the Los Angeles Continuum of Care. During her tenure, unsheltered homelessness decreased by 14% in Los Angeles County and 17.5% in the City of Los Angeles—reversing a six-year trend of steady increases.
Before joining LAHSA, she worked closely with Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass during the Mayor’s first 100 days in office, serving as the architect of Inside Safe, a citywide housing initiative that has helped move more than 4,000 people indoors since its launch in 2023.
She is also widely recognized for her 15-year tenure as President and CEO of St. Joseph Center, where she led significant organizational growth and helped pioneer integrated care models for people experiencing homelessness.
Dr. Adams Kellum has held numerous state and national advisory roles, including a gubernatorial appointment to the California Department of Housing and Community Development’s No Place Like Home Program Advisory Committee and service on the boards of the National Alliance to End Homelessness. She currently serves on the Board of Trustees for Mount Saint Mary’s University, and the Advisory Board of the California Policy Lab.
A Southern California native, Dr. Adams Kellum earned her B.A. from the University of Southern California, her M.A. from Ball State University, and her Ph.D. from Standford University.