Uniondale, NY, USA, April 2nd, 2026, FinanceWire
Marquis Who’s Who honors Kristen Donnelly, PhD, for excellence in consulting, research and organizational development. Dr. Donnelly is a sociologist, entrepreneur and founder of Abbey Research, whose relationship-based approach has helped individuals and organizations thrive.
About Kristen Donnelly
Dr. Donnelly has built her career around helping people better understand themselves and how they work with others. As the founder of Abbey Research since 2026, she leads projects that study group behavior and workplace culture. Her work includes conducting research with teams, creating custom presentations and leading discussions that help organizations improve communication and teamwork.
In addition to Abbey Research, Dr. Donnelly co-founded the Community Research Institute in 2020 and serves as chief operations officer at Abbey Color Inc., a family-owned business. Her work reflects a mix of research, business leadership and community impact.
Dr. Donnelly began her career while still in graduate school. She gained international experience as a sociology tutor at Queen’s University Belfast in Northern Ireland from 2013 to 2015. Before that, she worked as a social work consultant for UrbanPromise, where she supported programs focused on youth development and community support.
Her education has played a key role in shaping her work, as Dr. Donnelly earned a Doctor of Philosophy in sociology from Queen’s University Belfast in 2015. She also holds a Master of Divinity in cross-cultural religious anthropology from Baylor University’s Truett Seminary, where she graduated magna cum laude, and a Master of Social Work in international community planning from Baylor University. These studies gave her a strong understanding of human behavior, which she uses in her research and consulting.
Expertly Navigating Challenges
Dr. Donnelly is known for her curiosity and her ability to guide people through challenges. She focuses on understanding why people act the way they do and helps teams navigate conflict in a clear, practical way. She believes that strong leadership starts with asking the right questions and listening carefully.
One challenge Dr. Donnelly sees in her field is that companies often cut training when the economy changes, a move she says can weaken teams over time. Instead, she encourages organizations to invest in their people and support their growth. She also points to the rise of artificial intelligence, noting that it is important to balance new technology with human thinking and real communication.
Making an Impact
Outside of her professional work, Dr. Donnelly is active in civic and nonprofit efforts. She has served as a founding board member and volunteer coordinator for The Campus Kitchens Project at Baylor University and has supported UrbanPromise through both professional and volunteer roles. She currently serves on the boards of UrbanPromise International, UrbanPromise UK and the Baptist Joint Commission for Religious Liberty.
Dr. Donnelly is also a writer and speaker. She co-authored the 2023 book “The Culture of Burnout: Why Your Exhaustion Is Not Your Fault,” which explores the causes of burnout in modern life. She has delivered four TEDx Talks, where she explains complex ideas in clear and engaging ways.
She credits her success to the support of her family, friends and mentors, believing strong relationships are essential for both personal and professional growth. Looking ahead, Dr. Donnelly plans to continue her work through research, writing and speaking, with a focus on helping people and organizations grow and succeed.
About Marquis Who’s Who:
Since 1899, when A. N. Marquis printed the First Edition of Who’s Who in America, Marquis Who’s Who has chronicled the lives of the most accomplished individuals and innovators from every significant field of endeavor, including politics, business, medicine, law, education, art, religion and entertainment. Who’s Who in America remains an essential biographical source for thousands of researchers, journalists, librarians and executive search firms around the world. The suite of Marquis publications can be viewed at the official Marquis Who’s Who website, www.marquiswhoswho.com.