Kelly O'Connell grew up in public housing and explicitly frames her venture investing as a way to back founders who share similar lived experiences, noting that very few check-writers have stories like hers or come from where she came from. She asks founders to commit to building intentionally inclusive companies and uses adherence to UN Sustainable Development Goals as a formal screen, while also structuring her fund's LP base to include more women and historically underrepresented investors.

• A strong commitment to bridging the funding gap for underrepresented groups, particularly women and LGBTQ+ founders. This is evidenced by active involvement in policy discussions at the White House regarding capital allocation and public support for initiatives that aim to dismantle systemic barriers in venture capital.
• Valuing founder resilience and empathy-driven sales strategies. The focus here is on entrepreneurs who solve problems they have personally experienced, with a specific appreciation for founders who view sales as an act of helping rather than just convincing potential customers.
• Dedication to social impact and community support, often channeling personal loss into professional advocacy. This includes fundraising efforts for mompreneurs and youth mental health to honor a late sister, as well as participating in marathons to support local charitable causes.
• Appreciation for sports as a metaphor for leadership and teamwork, drawing on a background as a former collegiate athlete. Commentary often highlights the importance of fair narratives in sports media and uses examples of athletes stepping up for their teams to illustrate the type of grit and camaraderie expected in business.
• A long-term optimistic outlook on the venture market regardless of economic downturns. There is a consistent message that it is always a suitable time to invest in exceptional founders solving unmet needs, rejecting the idea that fund managers should pause during difficult economic cycles.