About me
Kelly Oriard is the co-founder and Chief Therapeutic Officer of Slumberkins, a children’s education and emotional wellness brand that transforms therapeutic tools into beloved plush characters and storybooks. With a master’s in Marriage and Family Therapy and another in School Counseling, Kelly merges deep clinical expertise with creative storytelling to support families' emotional health.
Before founding Slumberkins, Kelly worked as a school counselor and family therapist in Portland, Oregon, where she witnessed firsthand how early emotional learning can impact children.
Slumberkins emerged when Kelly teamed up with her lifelong friend, educator Callie Christensen, during maternity leave. The duo turned hand-sewn characters and affirming storylines into a growing emotional learning resource for families. Today, the brand has expanded into bestselling books, therapeutic plush toys, and even an Emmy-nominated children’s series co-produced with The Jim Henson Company—which streams on Apple TV+.
Kelly's leadership blends clinical insight with empathy-infused design. She’s twice been recognized on the Inc. 5000 list for Slumberkins' rapid growth, named a Forbes Top 200 Female Founder, and earned honors like Oregon Entrepreneur of the Year and an Emmy nomination for her creative direction.