Mary Beth Kellee and Hugh Dunklee

Hard-charging dynamo Mary Beth Kellee has been a shining star in the San Diego social scene for over 12 years. Born and raised in Ohio, she began a ballet school where she taught both ballet and gymnastics. This was followed by a retail sales and management career in New York with J. Riggings, Proving Ground and Shiseido Cosmetics. Having successfully conquered upstate New York, Shiseido promoted and sent her to Boston in the capacity of Northeast Training Director, where she remained for seven years until being recruited by Laura Ashley to become its North American Training Director, a position that included 15 direct reports.

The lure of the west coast became irresistible, as did a certain Hugh Dunklee from San Diego (who later became her husband), so Mary Beth sold everything and left Massachusetts to run a 5-star ski resort with Hugh in Vail, Colorado. Following a very long and cold winter, Mary Beth and Hugh left for California and pursued real estate careers in San Diego for almost eight years.

She then found her passion in volunteering and coordinating events as founder of 2 and 2 Consulting, which capitalizes on her ability to effectively connect people, businesses and non-profits. Numerous worthwhile local charities have found a true champion in Mary Beth, and she sits on the boards of various non-profit organizations including United Cerebral Palsy, Jenna Druck Foundation, Beach and Country Guild and the Santaluz Community Council. In addition, Mary Beth serves in an advisory capacity to the Santaluz Advisory Committee, Burn Institute, San Diego Center for Children, City Ballet of San Diego and the Sudanese Community Center.

‘Fundraiser-to-the-stars’, she has successfully chaired and presided over countless events. Some of her many successes include organizing the most productive fundraising team in the country for UCP’s “Ride without Limits” and coordinating its 50th anniversary VIP event, “The Sky’s the Limit.” She is chairing the VIP experience for “Your Best Year Ever” in January of 2009 at the Sports Arena benefiting the Jenna Druck Foundation. As past president and press chair for Beach and Country Guild’s “Dia Del Sol” event in both 2006 and 2007, she was instrumental in raising an unprecedented $500K in contributions. She created and continues to oversee the Santaluz Community Council Speaker Series “Words, Wine and Wisdom”, which features a wide range of engaging programs and included a recent appearance by one of the Lost Boys.

Mary Beth’s latest venture is a new line of healthy and organic products being launched in partnership with renowned naturopathic chef Tina Martini. In recognition of her tireless efforts, Mary Beth was named San Diego Magazine’s “Volunteer of the Year” in 2006.

By joining SDSVP, Mary Beth hopes to expand her social and philanthropic network. She is known as a "connector" of people and plans to introduce many of her social network people to SDSVP.

Mary Beth loves health and fitness and was just voted one of San Diego's Top 10 Best Dressed Gals! Hugh and Mary Beth have two dogs, Hunter & Skyler.