Jill Kelley
Jill Kelley
Born
Jill Gilberte Khawam

(1975-06-03) June 3, 1975
Beirut, Lebanon
Occupations
  • Activist
  • philanthropist
  • diplomatic advisor
Spouse
Scott Kelley
​
(m. 1999)​
Children3
Websitehttps://jillkelley.com/

Jill Kelley (born June 3, 1975) is a Lebanese-American philanthropist, activist, and diplomatic advisor.[1][2][3][4] She is also a former South Korean Honorary Consul,[5][6] and a former honorary ambassador to U.S. Central Command under General James N. Mattis.[7][8]

Kelley is president and founder of Military Diplomacy Strategies, an international advisory firm that advises embassies and multi-national companies to foster military, security and economic relationships.[1][2][3] She is also the founder of a blockchain company,[9] holds two patents, one biomedical and blockchain,[10] and is on the board of several public companies. In 2021, Kelley was appointed executive director of an Australian rare-earth company, to increase their North American presence.[11]

Early life and marriage

Kelley was born Jill Gilberte Khawam on June 3, 1975, in Beirut, Lebanon.[12] She immigrated to the United States with her Maronite Catholic parents in the mid-1970s.[13][14] The family consists of Kelley, her two sisters and a brother.[15][16]

Kelley lived in the Philadelphia, PA area until her mid-20s.[17][18] Following high school, she studied to become a doctor and was a medical researcher at the University of Pennsylvania. In 1999, Kelley married cancer-surgeon Scott Kelley.[19] Following their marriage, the couple moved to Tampa and had three children.

Public life

While in Tampa, Kelley served as a volunteer social-liaison to MacDill Air Force Base.[20] The couple has hosted numerous events for military leaders at their home near the United States Central Command.[21] Her husband Scott Kelley says he and his wife feel an obligation to share their good fortune by showing support for the military.

In 2011, Kelley received the Joint Chiefs of Staff Outstanding Public Service Award.[22]

In 2012, Kelley was an honorary ambassador to U.S. Central Command under General James N. Mattis, then-commander of U.S. military forces in the Middle East.[7][8]

In 2012, Kelley was named Honorary Consul for the Republic of Korea. Due to her connections with both U.S. military personnel and South Korean businesses, she was removed from the position later that year.[5][6][23] Kelley believes she was inappropriately removed from the post because she was a key figure in the Petraeus-Broadwell scandal.[24][25][26]

Kelley was an honorary social ambassador to the MacDill Air Force Base military community,[27] as well as honorary ambassador to Central Command commander Jim Mattis and Central Intelligence Agency director David Petraeus.[8]

In 2018, Kelley and a senior advisor to the president met with the Polish government to set up a U.S. military base in Poland, to be paid for by Poland, to improve their national security and relations with the U.S. military and the United States.[28]

From 2015 to 2017, Kelley and her neighbor Joe Maddon, former Chicago Cubs manager and current Los Angeles Angels General Manager, cohosted and held Gasparilla parties that aimed to benefit disabled veterans.[29][30] These events were hosted at her mansion, and had many other celebrities and athletes in attendance.[31]

Philanthropic activity

The Kelley's have held numerous charitable volunteering and fundraising events with organizations such as the American Red Cross, the National Gallery of Art, the Wounded Warrior Project, and Heart for the Homeless.[31]

From 2015 to 2017, Kelley and her neighbor—then Chicago Cubs manager Joe Maddon—cohosted Gasparilla parties to benefit disabled veterans.[29][32][31]

In April 2020, Kelley's husband, Dr Scott Kelley, set up a free nationwide COVID-19 hotline, a public service to offer free COVID test and medical evaluation to all Americans.[33] During the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, the Kelleys funded a free hotline to serve marginalized and economically challenged communities. In this effort, the Kelleys partners weigh longtime friend, NFL quarterback Jameis Winston. Together they set up the hotline, which used artificial intelligence (AI) and analytics to deliver free test kits and/or telemedicine appointments to patients in need.[34][35][36]

In 2021, Kelley assisted in the evacuation of hundreds of Afghans from their country when the Taliban seized power.[37] Kelley, whose Catholic family immigrated to the US to escape religious persecution in Lebanon, continues to work through her diplomatic ties to extract more Afghan refugees from danger zones. Kelley has been referred to as "a diplomatic fixer".[38] Kelley also provided support to rescue LGBTQ Afghans and resettle them in Canada[39] and has noted the special risks of these marginalized groups in remaining in Taliban-controlled Afghanistan.

The Kelleys are patrons of the Oxford Philharmonic.[40]

The Kelleys have twice offered their Nantucket home to POTUS and/or FLOTUS security staff: first during President Biden's Thanksgiving visit to Nantucket, followed by Jill Biden's July 2022 visit to Nantucket. Nantucket's "N Magazine" stated "With no vacancy at any of Nantucket's inns or hotels tonight, the visiting security for @flotus Jill Biden are staying at the Baxter Road home of Scott and Jill Kelley".[41]

Petraeus scandal

In June, 2012, Kelley contacted the FBI and later filed a report that she received multiple anonymous harassing e-mails that appeared to be an attempt to blackmail General David Petraeus. The FBI's investigation led to the discovery of CIA Director General David Petraeus's extramarital affair with Paula Broadwell who was Petraeus's biographer at the time.[42][43][44] The FBI determined that Paula Broadwell was responsible for stalking Kelley and was the source of the threatening emails.

During the course of the investigation, government officials disclosed Kelley's name as the victim to the Washington Post, along with the evidentiary emails she provided to the FBI.[45] The accusations sparked an investigation by the Department of Defense, which they eventually refused to investigate further.[46][47] The accusations stated by government officials and the media made Kelley a near-daily feature during the scandal.[48] On November 6, 2013, Kelley penned an Op-Ed in the Wall Street Journal warning against government surveillance and describing herself as the "human face" of the damage that can be caused by government probing into Americans' personal communications.[49]

On June 3, 2013, Kelley filed a privacy lawsuit against the federal government[50] alleging that investigators violated her privacy rights by unlawfully searching her personal emails and disclosing false descriptions of the nature of them to the media.[51] In addition, she stated "false and untrue headlines created a media sideshow" at her expense,[52] including her being wrongfully implicated in the extramarital affair between Petraeus and Broadwell. Kelley has become an advocate for internet privacy and security.[53]

Privacy advocacy

In 2014, Kelley received the support of two U.S. Congressmen to advocate for stronger privacy rights using her story of privacy rights violations related to the Petraeus scandal to "bring awareness to the damages that can be caused by government overreach and unwarranted searches of emails."[54][55] Kelley published a memoir in 2014, titled Collateral Damage: Petraeus, Power, Politics and the Abuse of Privacy.[56][57][54][58]

In 2016, Kelley spoke at a Yale University undergraduate event[59] on the topics of privacy rights and Internet security, along with reform and stronger protection of electronic communications.[60] The New York Times alluded to Jill Kelley as "an apostle for privacy."[61]

References

  1. 1 2 "Jill Kelley--Remember Her?--Plans a Party Wednesday at the Trump Hotel". Washingtonian. November 8, 2017. Retrieved October 28, 2020.
  2. 1 2 "'Bullying': Petraeus friend Jill Kelley professors who pronounced wife uglier than mistress". Washington Examiner. December 19, 2019. Retrieved October 28, 2020.
  3. 1 2 Tweedie, Elisabeth (December 15, 2018). "Developments in the 5G Ecosystem". satellitemarkets.com. Retrieved October 28, 2020.
  4. ↑ Ashley Fantz (October 20, 2020). "The Petraeus Affair: Who is Jill Kelley?". CNN Digital. Retrieved October 28, 2020.
  5. 1 2 "Clinton advisor bashed Jill Kelley in newly released emails". December 1, 2015. Retrieved December 9, 2016.
  6. 1 2 Altman, Howard (April 21, 2018). "Clinton advisor bashed Jill Kelley in newly released emails | tbo.com". Archived from the original on April 21, 2018. Retrieved October 28, 2020.
  7. 1 2 Jill Kelley e-mails depict a striving Tampa socialite and a smitten military brass. The Washington Post. Craig Whitlock, February 3, 2015.
  8. 1 2 3 Jill Kelley Plans A Party Wednesday at the Trump Hotel to Celebrate Donald Trump’s Victory. The Washingtonian. Elaina Plott, November 8, 2017.
  9. ↑ "EDENTIFID, INC. :: Florida (US) :: OpenCorporates". opencorporates.com. Retrieved July 17, 2022.
  10. ↑ "Jill Kelley - Patents". www.freshpatents.com.
  11. ↑ Arnoldi, Marleny. "Ionic makes strategic directorship appointment". Mining Weekly. Retrieved December 23, 2021.
  12. ↑ Jill Kelley, key figure in Petraeus scandal, led lavish life Los Angeles Times November 14, 2012
  13. ↑ CTV News, "CTV National News" airdate November 13, 2012
  14. ↑ Leger, Donna Leinwand (November 12, 2012) Jill Kelley ID'd as woman who sparked Petraeus inquiry. USA Today
  15. ↑ Staff report (October 22, 1993). Philadelphia fans short on memory but long on faith. Philadelphia Inquirer
  16. ↑ "Jill Kelley, woman who sparked Petraeus probe, has Philadelphia roots - Philly.com". Articles.philly.com. November 12, 2012. Retrieved July 3, 2013.
  17. ↑ Ward, Vicky (March 2013). "Jill Kelley and Natalie Khawam History - Tampa Society Scandal". Town & Country Magazine. Retrieved June 12, 2014.
  18. ↑ Laker, Barbara (November 12, 2012). Petraeus email trail has Philly link. philly.com
  19. ↑ Jill Kelley's husband Scott is a well-liked and respected surgeon at Lakeland clinic. Tampa Bay Times, Irene Maher. November 14, 2012.
  20. ↑ Petraeus friend Jill Kelley found place hosting military parties Tampa Bay Times November 13, 2012
  21. ↑ Carol D. Leonnig (November 13, 2012), Jill Kelley: Tampa woman who was hostess to the military The Washington Post
  22. ↑ "Kelley offered to help USF medical school".
  23. ↑ Berkowitz, Ned (November 27, 2012). "Petraeus Scandal: South Korea to Strip Kelley of Honorary Position". ABC News. Retrieved October 7, 2022.
  24. ↑ Jill Kelley and Scott Kelley (January 22, 2013). "Jill Kelley on the Petraeus scandal and the loss of privacy". The Washington Post. Archived from the original on January 28, 2013. Retrieved January 27, 2014.
  25. ↑ "Petraeus Scandal: Socialite Jill Kelley Fighting Back". ABC News. November 27, 2012. Retrieved January 27, 2014.
  26. ↑ "South Korea: Jill Kelley losing honorary consul title". CBS News. November 26, 2012. Retrieved December 6, 2013.
  27. ↑ Leonnig, Carol D. (November 13, 2012). "Jill Kelley: Tampa woman was hostess to the military". The Washington Post. Archived from the original on February 4, 2013. Retrieved April 14, 2014.
  28. ↑ Markay, Asawin Suebsaeng, Lachlan (April 19, 2018). "How Corey Lewandowski 'F*cked Over' a David Petraeus-Linked Socialite to Become the Polish Arms Industry's Man in D.C." The Daily Beast. Retrieved January 15, 2021.{{cite news}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  29. 1 2 "Maddon, Kelley host Gasparilla party for disabled veterans". www.baynews9.com. Retrieved March 23, 2021.
  30. ↑ "Jill Kelley, Maddon throwing Gasparilla bash". wtsp.com. January 23, 2015. Retrieved March 26, 2021.
  31. 1 2 3 Company, Tampa Publishing. "Live coverage: Gasparilla parade and pirate invasion". Tampa Bay Times. Retrieved March 23, 2021.
  32. ↑ "Jill Kelley, Maddon throwing Gasparilla bash". wtsp.com. January 23, 2015. Retrieved March 26, 2021.
  33. ↑ "VIDEO: Jameis Winston & Doctor Send Message, Create COVID-19 Help Hotline | 95.3 WDAE". Ronnie And TKras. Retrieved March 26, 2021.
  34. ↑ "Jameis Winston Teams Up With Dr. Scott Kelley To Raise Awareness Of The Coronavirus". TMZ. Retrieved February 1, 2022.
  35. ↑ "Jameis Winston on developing toll-free COVID-19 hotline". news.yahoo.com. April 8, 2020. Retrieved February 1, 2022.
  36. ↑ Florio, Mike (April 6, 2020). "Jameis Winston sets up free nationwide COVID-19 hotline". ProFootballTalk. Retrieved February 1, 2022.
  37. ↑ Teeman, Tim (December 16, 2021). "This Gay Man Escaped From Afghanistan. America Has Abandoned Him in a 'Terrifying' Limbo". The Daily Beast. Retrieved December 23, 2021.
  38. ↑ "Update: Catholic Refugees From Afghanistan in 'Purgatory' Waiting for Visas". The Tablet. January 11, 2022. Retrieved January 18, 2022.
  39. ↑ Teeman, Tim (August 20, 2022). "Some LGBTQ Afghans Are Finally Safe. Thousands Are Not". The Daily Beast. Retrieved August 22, 2022.
  40. ↑ "The American Friends of the Oxford Philharmonic's salute to spring in NYC and D.C." New York Social Diary. June 2, 2022. Retrieved June 3, 2022.
  41. ↑ "First Lady Jill Biden Back On Nantucket This Weekend". www.nantucketcurrent.com. July 13, 2022. Retrieved July 17, 2022.
  42. ↑ Bennett, Jessica (May 28, 2016). "Paula Broadwell, David Petraeus and the Afterlife of a Scandal". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved October 24, 2019.
  43. ↑ Yost, Pete (September 24, 2013). "Govt seeks dismissal of Petraeus-related lawsuit". Associated Press. Archived from the original on October 23, 2014. Retrieved June 12, 2014.
  44. ↑ Howard Kurtz (August 20, 2013). "Petraeus mistress secretly followed Tampa socialite". Fox News. Retrieved June 12, 2014.
  45. ↑ Horwitz, Sari (November 11, 2012). "FBI probe of Petraeus triggered by e-mail threats from biographer, officials say" (Mobile). The Washington Post. Retrieved January 27, 2014.
  46. ↑ "Feds won't revisit socialite Kelley's emails". The Tampa Tribune. July 3, 2013. Retrieved January 27, 2014.
  47. ↑ Shanker, Thom (January 22, 2013). "Pentagon Clears Commander Over E-Mails". The New York Times.
  48. ↑ Steinhauer, Jennifer (January 5, 2014). "From Petraeus Scandal, an Apostle for Privacy". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved October 24, 2019.
  49. ↑ Kelley, Jill (November 5, 2013). "Jill Kelley: How the Government Spied on Me". Wall Street Journal. Archived from the original (Mobile) on January 10, 2014. Retrieved January 27, 2014.
  50. ↑ "UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT FOR THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA" (PDF). The Huffington Post. Retrieved July 3, 2013.
  51. ↑ Valentino, Jennifer (June 3, 2013). "Woman in Petraeus Matter Files Lawsuit". Wall Street Journal. Retrieved January 27, 2014.
  52. ↑ Investigations. "US officials accused by socialite Jill Kelley of leaks as part of 'smear campaign'". NBC Investigations. Retrieved October 24, 2019.
  53. ↑ How to Save Privacy, by Petraeus Scandal Casualty Jill Kelley Bloomberg Businessweek April 12, 2013
  54. 1 2 "2 congressmen have questions in Jill Kelley leak". The Big Story. Archived from the original on December 13, 2014. Retrieved December 30, 2014.
  55. ↑ Jill Kelley. "I Lost My Privacy. Let's Act to Protect Yours". POLITICO Magazine. Retrieved December 30, 2014.
  56. ↑ "CIA Director's Email: 'Something Terrible, Dishonorable'". AP. March 23, 2016. Retrieved December 9, 2016 – via The New York Times.
  57. ↑ "Petraeus Scandal's Jill Kelley Becomes a Privacy Champion". Businessweek. January 7, 2014. Retrieved January 27, 2014.
  58. ↑ "Congressmen have questions for Holder in Jill Kelley leak". TBO.com. April 14, 2014. Archived from the original on September 12, 2018. Retrieved December 30, 2014.
  59. ↑ Howard Altman. Jill Kelley to speak at Yale University student organization. Tampa Bay Times. August 25, 2016.
  60. ↑ "Jill Kelley to speak at Yale University student organization". Retrieved December 9, 2016.
  61. ↑ Steinhauer, Jennifer (January 5, 2014). "From Petraeus Scandal, an Apostle for Privacy". The New York Times.
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