MEET KELLI BOTTGER

Executive Director and Founder

Kelli Bottger brings a wealth of electoral, legislative and educational leadership experience to the educational reform movement. As Louisiana Kids Matter’s Executive Director, Kelli works closely with state leaders, elected officials and coalition partners on education policy and electoral plans.

Prior to founding Louisiana Kids Matter, Kelli served as the Director of Political Strategy for the American Federation for Children. As AFC’s Director of Political Strategy, Kelli worked closely with state directors on policymaker cultivation, the creation and execution of state level electoral plans, and AFC’s candidate recruitment strategy.

Prior to joining AFC, Kelli served as government affairs and communications director for the Associated Professional Educators of Louisiana (A+PEL), where she worked together with legislators, Board of Elementary and Secondary Education (BESE) members, educators, community leaders and various stakeholders to empower teachers and provide leadership opportunities for educators across Louisiana.

During her nearly seven years in the classroom, Kelli specialized in teaching fourth grade math and science. As a teacher, she held numerous leadership roles, including serving as a mentor teacher and creating district-wide curriculum and assessments for students.

Kelli earned her undergraduate degree in elementary education from Louisiana State University and her master’s degree in educational leadership from Southeastern Louisiana University.