A storied career

Before making the leap to broadcasting, Kelly got her start as a political reporter for the Atlanta Journal-Constitution. In 1995, she joined the team that launched BBC/Public Radio International’s “The World.” The following year, she relocated to London, where she worked as a producer for CNN and as a senior producer, host, and reporter for the BBC World Service.

Kelly first joined NPR in 2001 as the senior editor of “All Things Considered.” Her work soon shifted toward covering national security, and in 2004, Kelly launched NPR’s intelligence beat, reporting on the CIA and other spy agencies from war zones in the Middle East and elsewhere. For a decade, she traveled the globe to investigate issues of terrorism, nuclear proliferation, and defense. Her coverage of the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, the Arab Spring, and the hunt for Osama bin Laden garnered widespread acclaim for its depth and nuance.

In 2011, Kelly briefly stepped away from journalism following a particularly difficult trip to Baghdad. She decided it was time for a career change and drew on her spy knowledge to write spy fiction instead. Her debut thriller, “Anonymous Sources,” was published in 2013, followed by her second novel, “The Bullet,” in 2015.

Kelly’s latest book, a memoir titled “It. Goes. So. Fast, The Year of No Do-Overs,” shares a personal account of her experiences as a working mother and the challenges she has faced in balancing her career in journalism with a demanding family life.

Returning to NPR in 2016, she has co-hosted “All Things Considered” since 2018 and serves as a contributing writer at The Atlantic, where she moderates interviews at forums from Aspen to Abu Dhabi. Her writing has appeared in The Wall Street Journal, The New York Times, The Washington Post, Politico, Washingtonian, and other publications. She has lectured at Harvard and Stanford University and taught a course on national security and journalism at Georgetown University.

Harvard’s impact

In addition to her degrees in government, French language, and literature from Harvard, Kelly earned a master’s degree in European studies from the University of Cambridge. She credits Harvard for giving her the confidence to succeed. As she recalls, “I was the only person from my school, my year, to matriculate into Harvard, and it was intimidating. I remember over the years just thinking, if I can hold my own with these people, in these classrooms, in these conversations, all these people who are so driven and so ambitious, then whatever other challenges life is throwing at me, I got this.”

During her time at Harvard, she reported on local and student politics for The Harvard Crimson, and covered the 1992 presidential election and the first inauguration of President Bill Clinton. “Professionally, I draw on the lessons I learned there every day. First and foremost, it taught me to write really fast on deadline.” Kelly added that it also allowed her to forge connections with “colleagues and friends who’ve remained friends and competitors and colleagues to this day.”

As an alumna, Kelly has held volunteer leadership positions for her class reunion campaigns and previously served as an alumni interviewer. She was also nominated by her classmates as a candidate for the role of chief marshal in 2018.

In addition to Kelly’s address, highlights of Harvard Alumni Day will include the traditional and celebratory all-alumni parade, remarks by Bacow, musical performances, and a ceremony honoring the 2023 Harvard Medalists. An all-alumni Yard party with food and beverage trucks will include local favorites such as Pinocchio’s Pizza, El Jefe’s, and Bon Me.

“We were delighted to have so many alumni from across the University join us last June for the first-ever Harvard Alumni Day. It was an extraordinary celebration — and I know that our alumni are ready to show off their Crimson spirit once again,” said Sarah Karmon, executive director of the Harvard Alumni Association. “Mary Louise Kelly is a shining example of the worldwide impact of our alumni, and she is an exceptionally gifted storyteller. Like all of our alumni, I am eagerly looking forward to hearing her speak.”

Harvard Alumni Day will take place on campus — and virtually for those who can’t join in person — on June 2. All Harvard alumni from across the University are invited to attend. For more information and to register, visit alumni.harvard.edu/alumni-day.