A Northwest Indiana Life in the Spotlight: Kelly Papp

Kelly Papp knows the power of showing up. Whether it’s leading meetings for Tri Kappa, helping local organizations, or cheering on her two boys at a baseball game, she’s constantly building connections that matter—in her family, her community, and her career. In Crown Point, the life she never imagined has grown into one filled with family, creativity, and service.

Originally from Chicago, Papp first came to Northwest Indiana through her husband, whom she met in college. Though she initially never imagined moving to the Region, it quickly grew on her. After living downtown, Papp and her husband needed more space when their first son was born in 2013. They traded their small two-bedroom city condo for a home in Crown Point, a choice that immediately felt right.

“My favorite thing about Crown Point is the sense of community. Anytime we have troubles, it’s the people that show up for you. I have such a great support system here. I am so lucky. We’ve found our people, and that continues to grow as well. There are people who care about each other and are willing to step up and help out,” Papp said.

This sense of community was heightened when Papp joined Tri Kappa.

“It’s funny because our neighbor is the one who brought me to Tri Kappa. She knew my husband growing up. I feel like those kinds of connections keep happening here in Crown Point, and it’s part of what makes this community so special,” Papp said.

After her neighbor brought her to her first event, Papp was hooked. She quickly realized the organization matched her desire to be actively involved and joined in 2018. Papp has since served as vice president and now leads the chapter as president. In this role, Papp oversees committees, runs monthly meetings, supports the pledging process, and serves as the public face of the chapter. She ensures that the organization runs smoothly and that all community initiatives and events are carried out successfully.

“Tri Kappa is really what you make it. I always like to get my hands dirty. I’m happy to help our community and find a way to meet more people within our community to see who I’m actually helping out,” Papp said.

Alongside her volunteer work, Papp has built a dynamic career in marketing and creative writing. Originally planning to attend pharmaceutical school, she pivoted into marketing. She explored a variety of marketing roles before landing at We Create, a Valparaiso-based media agency.

At We Create, Papp works with website copy, ad copy, taglines, social media posts, email campaigns, and audio scripts. She connects with a wide range of clients, including the state of Indiana, which has given her a deeper appreciation for the state’s programs and initiatives.

“I’m 41 years old. It took a while to get here, but I’m finally here, and I’m happy. I work with such a great group of creatives that it makes it very easy to have fun and be myself. I’m usually pretty quick-witted, and it’s very fulfilling to be able to showcase that. I finally found my groove. It’s cool to see the growth and what they’ve developed into,” Papp said.

Much of Papp’s inspiration comes from the strong women in her life—from her mother, a nurse, and her aunt, to a next-door neighbor who felt like another grandmother. Their example has guided her in balancing family, career, and volunteer leadership.

“I’m inspired by all the wonderful, strong women in my life. I had my mom, who was a nurse, my aunt, and my next-door neighbor, who was like another grandmother to me. Having these strong, independent women in my life, who encouraged me to be the same, has definitely been my inspiration,” Papp said.

Family remains central to Papp’s life. Her two boys, ages 9 and 12, keep the family busy. Baseball, in particular, is a year-round focus, but the family also makes time for travel, vacations, and downtime. Baking and walking their dog, Gunner, provide moments of stress relief, while hosting friends at home allows the family to combine hospitality with fun.

“We enjoy entertaining and having our friends over,” Papp said. “My husband is a bit of a chef, so he likes to have dinner parties if we get a free weekend. He’s in charge of dinner, and I’m in charge of dessert.”

Papp encourages anyone interested in Tri Kappa to get involved—whether by reaching out to her personally, contacting the chapter inbox, attending events, volunteering, or following the “Friends of Crown Point Tri Kappa” Facebook page. For her, it’s about networking, building connections, and helping the community thrive.

“I know the community feels it and can see what we’re bringing. We have such a growing membership that we’re constantly looking for new organizations that we can help support. Every project that we work on, all the money that we raise goes back to the community. It funds student scholarships and various organizations. We have a continuing impact on the community, and want to stay as involved as we can,” Papp said.