Dawn Kelly

Dawn Kelly is the award-winning Founder & CEO of The Nourish Spot Inc., a family-owned, certified MWBE and ACDBE fresh juice and wellness bar she launched in Jamaica, Queens in 2016 with her two children, Owen and Jade Duncan. What began as a reinvention, following her departure from a successful 30+ year career in public relations and marketing, has grown into a trusted community hub for health, healing, and economic opportunity.

During National Small Business Week in 2019, The Nourish Spot was named Microbusiness of the Year by the U.S. Small Business Administration (NY District). Dawn has been honored as a Distinguished Woman of the Year by NYS Senator Leroy Comrie (2020) and selected as one of six Entrepreneurs of the Year by NYS Empire State Development and the Queens Economic Development Corporation.

In recent years, Kelly has secured partnerships with the New York Liberty, Citi Field, and the USTA US Open. Now, as an ACDBE and JV partner with AVOLTA, she is expanding The Nourish Spot to JFK Terminals 5, 6, 7, and 8, joining four other airport deals in her growing portfolio.

Dawn serves as co-lead of Essential Connections, an incubator and support network for emerging Black and Brown women entrepreneurs navigating access to capital, certifications, and commercial expansion. She also mentors a growing group of Queens- and Brooklyn-based small business owners exploring airport concession opportunities.

During her nearly 16-year tenure at Prudential Financial, Dawn led communications for global security, diversity, and talent, while establishing a Howard University internship pipeline. Her background includes PR leadership at York College/CUNY and national media relations for AARP.

A proud graduate of Howard University, Dawn holds a B.A. in African American Studies with a minor in Spanish. She is a graduate of the Interise StreetWise MBA, Goldman Sachs 10,000 Small Businesses, the Women Unlimited LEAD Program, and the WOCSTAR GFS Academy.

She serves on the NYC Mayor’s Small Business Advisory Commission, the York College Foundation Board, and the NYC Hospitality Alliance, among other leadership and advocacy roles.

A single mother, wellness advocate, and legacy builder, Dawn Kelly remains committed to uplifting communities through enterprise, empowerment, and equity—at the corner of wellness and wealth.

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What are the essential skills that a new airport worker should possess to succeed?

Dawn Kelly: Airports move fast—there’s no room for guesswork. You need adaptability, accountability, and strong communication. It’s a highly regulated environment where every role is public-facing. I’ve gone from corporate public relations and marketing to entrepreneurship and now operate as an airport concessions operator and joint venture (JV) partner, and what I’ve learned is simple: show up on time, stay aware, and treat every interaction like it matters—because it does. In New York, especially, airport workers are representing the city before travelers even leave the terminal.

How has networking and involvement in the airport community benefited your career?

Dawn Kelly: In aviation, relationships are currency. That was true when I was a corporate executive, and it’s even more true now. Being present in the Southeast Queens airport ecosystem—listening, collaborating, building trust—allowed The Nourish Spot to grow from a single Queens storefront into an airport concessions operator and JV partner. Airports are not siloed; success comes from knowing how the whole system moves and where you fit within it.

Are you a member of any civic or business groups related to the local airport?

Dawn Kelly: Yes. I’m a member of the JFK Rotary, the Queens Chamber of Commerce, and the Airport Minority Advisory Council (AMAC), and I attend JFK Redevelopment Committee meetings. These aren’t résumé lines—they’re working rooms. Being in these spaces ensures that local businesses and community-rooted operators are part of the conversation as airport redevelopment and modernization continue to reshape the region.

Are there any airport redevelopment projects that you are particularly excited to see completed?

Dawn Kelly: I’m excited by all the new terminal projects that are not just modernizing infrastructure, but are also rethinking who gets to participate. Airports are the front door to a city. Growing up nearby JFK and with my background in brand strategy, I see redevelopment as an opportunity to tell a fuller New York story—one that includes local operators, reflects the community, and elevates the passenger experience without losing authenticity.

What distinguishes the New York metropolitan area from other aviation and airport markets?

Dawn Kelly: New York is its own category. The scale, the pace, the diversity—you can’t replicate it. Operators here have to serve the world while staying grounded in local culture. From an operational and branding standpoint, that’s a challenge—but it’s also what makes this market super special. Just like Frank Sinatra crooned “If you can operate here, you can operate anywhere!”

Does your company offer internships or other programs to attract young employees?

Dawn Kelly: Yes—and it’s built into how we operate. Mentorship isn’t a side program at The Nourish Spot; it’s part of our brick-and-mortar experience. Coming from my personal and corporate background, I know exposure changes lives. Our locations function as real-world classrooms where young people can learn hospitality, operations, and entrepreneurship.

Would you consider using a pilotless, autonomous electric vertical take-off and landing (eVTOL) aircraft for short trips?

Dawn Kelly: Absolutely. My mother always told me that after seeing Tinkerbell in Peter Pan, I never stopped promising to fly. And growing up, The Jetsons was one of my favorite cartoons, so futuristic transportation has always fascinated me. I’m genuinely excited about what eVTOL technology could mean for sustainability and urban mobility. That said, I also know—especially from my communications background—that public trust is everything. Innovation only works if people feel safe, informed, and included in the future being built. Introducing these innovations now to young people would be a smart strategy. 

How are the insights of women in leadership roles important in fostering innovation and sustainability in aviation?

Dawn Kelly: Women bring a long-view perspective. Across my career—from corporate leadership to entrepreneurship to being an airport concessions operator and JV partner—I’ve seen how women naturally consider impact, access, and legacy. In aviation, that perspective matters. It leads to smarter innovation, stronger sustainability practices, and systems that work not just for today, but for the communities that depend on them long term.