Kay Nadel ’65
About Kay Nadel ’65
Kay Chaney Nadel ’65 joins the Stephens College Board of Trustees as both an alumna and as a former Director of Alumnae Programs.
After receiving her A.A. at Stephens, Kay earned a B.S. in Education and a Masters in School Administration from the University of Missouri. Soon after she was invited back to Stephens to develop an alumnae program to support the admissions process. In its first year, 800 alumnae from across the country were recruited, trained and activated to aid prospective students in their route to Stephens. Kay and her team developed a 100 member Columbia, Missouri leadership program, the first ever Stephens’ Student Annual Fund Campaign, and an Alumnae Career Resource Program.
The success of these programs brought speaking engagements, invitations to consult with other colleges, published articles, and a Council for the Advancement and Support of Education (CASE) national award.
With proven need, Kay created new and specialized non-profit divisions for two for-profit marketing firms. Based on market research, problems were analyzed, objectives set and programs developed to increase enrollment, identify/develop new funding sources and improve brand recognition; all to meet the unique and specialized world of 501-C3 designated organizations.
Three years later, Kay started her own firm, KC Harris & Associates, later renamed Chaney-Nadel. With offices in Kansas City and New York clients included Girl Scouts of the USA, The Girl Scout Cookie Sale, Boys & Girls Clubs, The National Center for Learning Disabilities, Westchester Classic PGA Golf Tournament, as well as multiple colleges and universities.
As an avid golfer and listening to her entrepreneurial spirits, Kay founded Chaney Fine Golf Jewelry. As CEO she purchased raw silver and gold, oversaw the design of original art pieces, contracted with mold makers and
coordinated production by bench jewelers. Kay personally handled the marketing and advertising of Chaney’s beautiful but subtle golf motif jewelry. Chaney jewelry was featured in Golf for Women, Golf Digest & Golf Digest Women, and was showcased at the LPGA Tournament at Pumpkin Ridge (staffed by Stephens College alumnae), at the PGA Show in Orlando and the Asian Golf Show in Singapore.
Throughout her career and varied professional interests, design always played a role. Specifically Interior Design. In 2000 she turned to interior design full time. Her work includes whole house renovations, residential and contract interior design. Her design styles maximize use of natural materials, open spaces, green plants & trees and few conversation-worthy accessories and antiques. Her work was featured nationally on Property Man, Fox Network Television in 2017.
In addition to her professional career, Kay has volunteered her time to boards and chaired many benefits while maintaining her involvement with Stephens and her interest in women’s issues. These included the Westchester County New York ARC who honored her and her late husband, Edwin. In 2008, they were featured in The New York Times for their community work. The article was called “The Key to a Retired Life…Get Involved.”