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Family Services Names Kelly Canally as CEO Effective May 1

Family Services of Montgomery County announced today that it has named Kelly Canally, MSS, MLSP, as Chief Executive Officer (CEO) effective May 1, 2022. Canally currently serves as Family Services’ Director of Programs and Services, a position she has held since 2017. 

Canally succeeds Tim O’Connell, who is retiring after nearly 30 years at Family Services. On May 1, O’Connell will transition to a part-time role focusing on strategic projects.

Canally, who first joined Family Services in 1994 as a graduate student intern, has served in various management roles at Family Services for more than 25 years. Prior to her current role, she served as Director of Community Prevention Services for 20 years. She has played a critical role in the organization’s grant writing, program development and implementation, and community outreach efforts which have led to the organization’s growth in recent years.

“Kelly has excelled at every level,” said O’Connell. “Under her guidance, Family Services will continue to improve the lives of children, seniors, and families throughout Montgomery County for many years to come.”

“Kelly’s strong programming and grant management track record speaks for itself,” said Doug Hager, president, Family Services’ board of directors. “Her experience, enthusiasm, and commitment to the agency make her the ideal choice for our next CEO. We look forward to working with Kelly in this new role to guide Family Services into the future.”

“It is a great honor to lead an organization that has such a rich history in serving children, seniors, and families throughout Montgomery County,” said Canally. “I am thrilled to lead the agency’s vision of creating a strong, caring community of individuals and families meeting the challenges and opportunities of life. I look forward to working with our talented staff and dedicated board of directors as we look to expand our services to better serve individuals, families, and communities in need here in Montgomery County.”

Prior to joining Family Services, Canally served as a social worker for Senior Adults for Greater Achievement in Ambler and a case manager for the Montgomery County Office of Children and Youth in Norristown.  

Canally, a resident of Abington, is a strong advocate for drug and alcohol prevention efforts in Montgomery County and across the Commonwealth. She is chair of the Pennsylvania Cross-Systems Prevention Workgroup, as well as a member of the Pennsylvania Department of Drug and Alcohol Program Prevention Workgroup and the Pennsylvania Commission on Crime and Delinquency (PCCD) Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention Committee.

In addition, she is a member of the Pennsylvania Youth Survey Advisory Group, the Montgomery County Criminal Justice Advisory Board, and the Montgomery County Workforce Development Board, as well as a board member for the Commonwealth Prevention Alliance.

Canally earned a bachelor’s degree in social work from Temple University and dual master’s degrees in social services and law and social policy from the Bryn Mawr College Graduate School of Social Work and Social Research.

About Family Services
Since 1900, Family Services has specialized in providing compassionate support and trustworthy guidance to Montgomery County individuals and families in need. Throughout the agency’s 120-year history, its programs have evolved to meet the changing needs of the community. Current programming focuses on Family Support and Parent Education; Health and Wellness; Older Adults; Reentry Services; and Substance Abuse Prevention. Family Services’ innovative social service programs make a positive difference in the lives of 11,000+ Montgomery County residents each year. For more information on Family Services, call 610-630-2111 or visit www.fsmontco.org.

Kelly Canally
Kelly Canally, MSS, MLSP