Episode 45 - Making Space and Creating Pathways with Keely Cat-Wells
Episode 45, Oct 16, 10:09 PM
In this Quest Podcast episode, we chat with world-renowned advocate, entrepreneur, public speaker and educator, Keely Cat-Wells. She devotes her time and expertise to creating education and employment opportunities and inclusive spaces for those with disabilities - and delivers advice and inspires action while sharing stories of resilience and positivity. Keely is the founder and CEO of Making Space, a talent acquisition and learning experience platform and a co-founder of Making Space Media, a production company that focuses on increasing representation in TV and film. She joins us to share her experiences, expertise, and advice.
Transcript
Guests:
Keely Cat-Wells is an entrepreneur and Disability Rights Advocate dedicated to driving social, systemic, and economic change. After experiencing a multitude of health issues that resulted in a physical disability, Keely focused her career on advocacy and inclusion in entertainment. She founded a talent representation company that is reshaping the perceptions of disability and has placed thousands of actors with disabilities in on-screen projects. She established Making Space, a talent acquisition and learning experience platform that creates pathways to employment and career advancement for those living with disabilities. Keely partnered with TV host, author, and Disability Rights Advocate, Sophie Morgan, to co-found Making Space Media, which produces film, TV, and promotional content that centers on the disabled voice and recently secured a first-look deal with Reese Witherspoon’s Hello Sunshine company. Keely is a public speaker and staunch advocate for disability rights and mental health awareness. She is a founding member of the #WeThe15 campaign, which is considered the most significant human rights movement in sports history. Keely has presented to national leaders, including President Joe Biden, delivered speeches to the UN and large companies and organizations, and has received numerous awards and honors, including Forbes 30 Under 30 and Great British Entrepreneur of the Year.
Connect with Keely:
Transcript
Guests:
Keely Cat-Wells is an entrepreneur and Disability Rights Advocate dedicated to driving social, systemic, and economic change. After experiencing a multitude of health issues that resulted in a physical disability, Keely focused her career on advocacy and inclusion in entertainment. She founded a talent representation company that is reshaping the perceptions of disability and has placed thousands of actors with disabilities in on-screen projects. She established Making Space, a talent acquisition and learning experience platform that creates pathways to employment and career advancement for those living with disabilities. Keely partnered with TV host, author, and Disability Rights Advocate, Sophie Morgan, to co-found Making Space Media, which produces film, TV, and promotional content that centers on the disabled voice and recently secured a first-look deal with Reese Witherspoon’s Hello Sunshine company. Keely is a public speaker and staunch advocate for disability rights and mental health awareness. She is a founding member of the #WeThe15 campaign, which is considered the most significant human rights movement in sports history. Keely has presented to national leaders, including President Joe Biden, delivered speeches to the UN and large companies and organizations, and has received numerous awards and honors, including Forbes 30 Under 30 and Great British Entrepreneur of the Year.
Connect with Keely:
- https://keelycatwells.com/
- https://making-space.com/
- https://www.making-space-media.com/
- https://www.instagram.com/keely_cat_wells/
- https://www.linkedin.com/in/keelycatwells/
- https://x.com/keelycatwells
- https://www.facebook.com/keely.wells3/
Host:
Mindy Henderson is MDA’s Vice President of Disability Outreach & Empowerment & Editor-in-Chief of Quest Media, and the host of this podcast. She was diagnosed with Spinal Muscular Atrophy, type 2 when she was 15 months old and has been a life-long partner to MDA. Mindy is also a motivational speaker and a writer, and author of the book, The Truth About Things That Suck.
Connect with Mindy:
Mindy Henderson is MDA’s Vice President of Disability Outreach & Empowerment & Editor-in-Chief of Quest Media, and the host of this podcast. She was diagnosed with Spinal Muscular Atrophy, type 2 when she was 15 months old and has been a life-long partner to MDA. Mindy is also a motivational speaker and a writer, and author of the book, The Truth About Things That Suck.
Connect with Mindy: