Kelly Lamphear-Dash is an award-winning writer, director, and producer whose career reflects a rare blend of artistic vision, operational excellence, and longstanding commitment to community impact. With more than thirty-five years of professional experience across film production, media, real estate, nonprofit leadership, and board governance, she has built a reputation as a creative strategist who understands how to turn ideas into meaningful, measurable outcomes. Her work spans continents, genres, and industries, yet her through-line remains constant: elevating authentic stories, strengthening organizations, and leading people with clarity, compassion, and purpose.
Kelly’s early life as a storyteller began at the College of St. Catherine, where she immersed herself in a multidisciplinary program in Video, Theater, and Film. Although she did not come from a traditional Hollywood pipeline, she embraced every opportunity available—working in a student newsroom, producing short-form video for community television, interning with Good Morning America, and serving as an extra in major studio productions shot in Minnesota. These foundational experiences shaped her belief that creativity flourishes not from privilege but from persistence, resourcefulness, and the ability to learn from every environment.
After college, Kelly stepped into the professional film world as an associate producer for a local video production company. Her early projects included Isaac Asimov’s final interview and one of the first computer-animated productions created for Duplo. These assignments required adaptability, technical fluency, and comfort in high-pressure environments, all of which would become defining traits of her later leadership. Yet as the Minnesota film landscape shifted, Kelly made a pivotal career decision to broaden her skill set and entered the real estate industry, where she spent fifteen years building a successful practice grounded in negotiation, project coordination, contract management, and fiduciary responsibility.
Her time in real estate would ultimately become an unexpected but powerful training ground for board service and production leadership. Managing transactions, navigating legislation, and coordinating teams across multiple stakeholders sharpened Kelly’s operational thinking and reinforced her natural ability to lead complex projects from inception to completion. When she eventually returned to filmmaking, she did so with a stronger business foundation than many of her peers, giving her a unique advantage as both a creative and an executive.
Kelly’s return to film marked a new chapter defined by purpose-driven storytelling. Through her companies Juggling Act Productions and Minnesota Made Productions, she produced an impressive portfolio of short and feature films that have collectively screened at over one hundred festivals worldwide. Her documentary work—including Rediscovering John Berryman, The Dinkytown Uprising, and Singin’ in the Grain—has been celebrated for its historical significance and emotional resonance, with distribution on PBS and additional streaming platforms. As a narrative filmmaker, she has championed women-led projects and stories rooted in real human experiences, often exploring themes of identity, resilience, and social equity.
Her dedication to uplifting underrepresented voices expanded further with the creation of Ladies Who Crew, an initiative designed to increase diversity behind the camera. By building opportunities for women and emerging talent, Kelly demonstrated her commitment not just to storytelling but to systemic change within the industry. Her work as a consultant for various productions and scripts further reflects her collaborative nature and her ability to mentor teams through the creative and logistical challenges of filmmaking.
Alongside her production work, Kelly has maintained an active role in industry leadership. She has served for many years on the Board of Screenwriters’ Workshop and is a current Board Member for Minnesota Women in Film & Television (MNWiFT). Her advisory work with Future Leaders of the World (F.L.O.W.) underscores her dedication to educational initiatives and her belief in empowering young storytellers. These roles highlight her deep understanding of governance, strategic planning, and community engagement—skills she has carried through multiple sectors, including arts organizations, HOA boards, partner-owned companies, and local government bodies.
Kelly’s career is also distinguished by her personal pursuit of continuous growth. She has participated in elite writers’ retreats across the world, including the Rocaberti Writers Retreat in France, the Oaxaca Legacy X Program, and the CineStory Writers Retreat. Her scripts have earned accolades at major competitions such as the Big Apple Film Festival, Script Summit, Creative World Awards, Santa Barbara International Screenplay Awards, WeScreenplay, StoryPros, and the Cannes Golden Plume. These achievements reflect her ongoing evolution as a creator who values both craft and curiosity.
Beyond her professional endeavors, Kelly brings a grounded, human-centered perspective to every leadership environment she enters. She is an avid hiker and world traveler who finds inspiration in nature, a passionate photographer, and a devoted mother who cherishes time with her children and community. Her love for film is not merely a career—it is, as she describes, “an addiction,” a lifelong pursuit that fuels her creativity and her commitment to sharing stories that matter.
Today, Kelly is energized by the opportunity to bring her expertise to new board roles across media, entertainment, real estate, small business, and mission-driven organizations. She is particularly valued for her holistic approach: part visionary, part strategist, part “boots-on-the-ground” operator who understands how to align people, purpose, and processes. Whether guiding a film festival, improving organizational systems, or mentoring emerging leaders, she remains dedicated to helping teams operate with clarity, collaboration, and excellence.
Character:
Kelly demonstrates unwavering integrity, approaching every project and leadership role with authenticity, empathy, and respect for the people she works with. She is driven by a desire to serve others, whether through storytelling or organizational development, and consistently seeks to elevate voices that deserve to be heard. Her steady, values-centered approach inspires trust and fosters environments where creativity and accountability thrive.
Knowledge:
She brings deep expertise gained from decades in film production, real estate, and board governance, enabling her to navigate complex operational and artistic challenges with confidence. She draws upon a rich blend of hands-on experience and formal training to support leaders in making informed, strategic decisions. Her understanding of both creative and business landscapes allows her to bridge gaps between departments, stakeholders, and visions.
Strategic:
Kelly approaches leadership with a wide-angle lens, always considering long-term impact, sustainable systems, and organizational alignment. She excels at transforming broad ideas into practical roadmaps, guiding teams from conception to execution with adaptability and foresight. Her strategic instincts make her an invaluable advisor for organizations seeking to grow, evolve, or strengthen internal processes.
Communication:
An articulate storyteller, a clear communicator, and a collaborative listener who ensures every voice feels valued. She is skilled at conveying complex ideas in accessible ways, whether speaking on panels, participating in podcasts, or guiding production teams through high-pressure decisions. Her communication style builds bridges, resolves conflict, and supports healthy, productive relationships.
