Smokey Bones, based in Plantation, Fla., announced this week its top HR Executive, Rachael Kelly, Chief People and Culture Officer, was named 2022 Woman of the Year for South Florida

Rachael Kelly was named South Florida Woman of the Year by the Florida Diversity Council during their annual Women in Leadership Symposium. The recognition came at a time when she was redefining what leadership could look like in the restaurant industry.
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As Chief People and Culture Officer at Smokey Bones, Rachael watched the pandemic devastate her industry. While other companies scrambled to survive, she saw an opportunity to prove that putting people first wasn't just morally right—it was good business.
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At Smokey Bones, a 61-unit chain across 16 states, Rachael didn't just want the company to recover. She wanted it to come back stronger and more inclusive than before. She made it her priority to give women, LGBTQ+ team members, and people of color real opportunities to lead, not just token positions. Her approach worked: the company earned multiple Great Place to Work certifications, and Rachael gained recognition from Nation's Restaurant News as one of the industry's most influential executives. OnCon also named her a Top 50 HR Professional.
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Her commitment to empowerment extends far beyond the corporate world. Rachael founded HiveSMART dedicated to supporting abuse survivors, understanding that true healing means helping people reclaim their power and rebuild their lives.
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The Women in Leadership Symposium takes place every March, bringing together women from different industries and backgrounds. It's where honest conversations happen, meaningful connections form, and women at every career stage find the encouragement to keep pushing boundaries. For Rachael, this perfectly captures what leadership should be: creating space for others to rise.