Kelley Bradshaw Savoca, The Resilient Renaissance Woman
Dry shampoo and coffee may be all that’s holding Kelley Savoca together some days, but it’s her grit and gratitude that truly fuel her. Between her demanding career as a Surgical ICU Nurse Practitioner, life as a new mom to 13-month-old Shep and her role as Director of the Miss Georgia Volunteer Organization, hundreds of people count on Kelley to not just show up, but to bring her best. Thankfully, she’s got a stellar support system that’s seen her through every season. From performing as a Radio City Rockette to serving on the frontlines as a nurse and overcoming infertility, every challenge and triumph has prepared her for a life of service, purpose and passion she’s lives today.
What lessons from your Rockette days have shaped you today?
Thousands of women audition for a spot on the iconic line each year, and it took me three times before I finally got THE call to offer me a job. This taught me an immense amount of perseverance. The ability to get back up after being told no is crucial to success and that is a lifelong lesson I carry with me always. Performing up to four shows each day with only one day off per week gave me stamina and the ability to dig deep, even when I thought I had nothing left. This has been especially helpful in my first year as a new mom. Any new mother will tell you that it is the most beautiful thing you can ever do. But coupled with that beauty is exhaustion, self-doubt and anxiety. I frequently return to my roots from the stage to remind myself that no matter how tired or stressed I am, I can do this!
What do you consider to be your biggest accomplishment?
My husband and I faced immense challenges with infertility. We struggled with pregnancy loss, and I endured several surgeries and procedures to get pregnant. In December 2023, on Christmas Day, we stared anxiously at a pregnancy test, desperate for that second line to appear….and it did! It was the culmination of A LOT of science, A LOT of miracles, A LOT of prayer and A LOT of patience that got us to this point. Being a mother, delivering him at the age of 40, is definitely my biggest accomplishment!
What does community service mean to you on a personal level?
Community service isn’t just about helping others; it’s about building relationships, fostering resilience and creating moments of joy and hope where they’re needed most. It reminds me daily that even small acts of kindness can have a lasting ripple effect. Personally, it fills my heart and grounds me. My journey, from the precision and discipline of the Rockette line to the intensity and empathy required in the ICU, has taught me that the greatest impact we can have isn’t measured in titles or accolades, but in the lives we touch along the way. It’s also very important to me to share and model this for my son, Shep. I want to inspire him to give back to those around him. It’s how I live out the belief that “to whom much is given, much is required.”
