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Meet Your Neighbor: Brigette Kelly-Kirvin

By Callie Thomas

If you weren’t in your present career and could pick any job at all, what would you choose? 89144 resident Brigette Kelly-Kirvin, had an opportunity to explore just that after working as a successful marketing executive, first in Los Angeles and then in Las Vegas. It’s interesting how life can actually guide you toward a path you didn’t expect.  Brigette’s journey would lead her not only to becoming a wife and mother of two, but also provide the opportunity to leverage her passion for running marathons to serve as a board chair for a non-profit program called Girls on the Run.

Brigette Kirvin DS1D9282F

Although a longtime Los Angeles resident, the 1994 Northridge earthquake in Southern California was enough to motivate the Kirvins to move to Las Vegas. After working for IBM, NeXT Computer and the Motion Picture division of Eastman Kodak in L.A., Brigette continued her marketing career in Las Vegas as Marketing Director for Steven Spielberg’s DIVE restaurant, followed by launching the Coca-Cola Company’s retail store and attraction on the Las Vegas Strip.  When her second child was on the way, she decided to take a hiatus from full-time work and take on “special” projects. The projects that came to her were family-focused and assisted the community.  Instead of leading marketing teams, she found herself in charge of Girl Scout troops, running marathons for children’s charities and becoming PTO President at her children’s school. It also led her to the Girls on the Run Program, which provides 3rd through 8th grade girls with 12 weeks of fun, fitness and life skills training through interactive lessons and running games.  The program has provided Brigette Kelly-Kirvin with the opportunity to combine two of her passions.  She talks about giving back, how it has affected her life and inspired her own family to serve the community.

How did you get involved with the Girls on the Run Program?

“The exposure to kids as a classroom volunteer and parent leader helped me to tap into a passion that I didn’t know existed during my corporate life.  My passion for running and for children collided when I discovered the Girls on the Run local chapter.  I volunteered as a coach for several seasons and Director of their 5K. I accepted a Board of Director’s position and now act as Board Chair.” 

Tell us about the 5K event.

“The program culminates with a community 5K run that celebrates these girls and their accomplishments.  This spring, the 5K is April 27 at Kellogg-Zaher Soccer Complex in Summerlin. Anyone can come out and run with us and we’re always looking for volunteers too. Visit www.girlsontherunlv.org for ways you can help.”

Any experiences you’d like to share?

“Being a coach and race director feeds my soul. To lace up my shoes alongside pre-teen girls and watch the perils of adolescence melt into the pavement with every lesson and every foot strike gives me boundless joy. Crossing a 5k finish line for the first time is life-changing for many of these girls. Witnessing them grow in character and confidence along the way is life-changing for me.”

Any other organizations you support within the community?

“Another group that is near to my heart is the Downtown Boys & Girls Club.  It’s located in one of the most impoverished areas of Las Vegas.  A group of us help keep its doors open by identifying partners to help with funding issues. I enjoy organizing special events.”

 What are you most proud to have accomplished?

“Raising two amazing kids, Emily and Jack with my husband Dave Kirvin, growing Girls on the Run Las Vegas from eight girls a few seasons ago to over 100 today and helping the Downtown Club.”

Has your involvement with these organizations influenced your own family?

“There’s never been a Las Vegas Girls on the Run 5K that didn’t see the entire Kirvin family out in force. It’s all about a labor of love, and building a family legacy of service is important to me.”

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