Keely (Bohner) Barber - Class of 1994

Keely (Bohner) Barber ’94 says that “to work hard and be ambitious” were among some of the values that were instilled in her as a student at Archmere. A Territory Manager for Merck Animal Health with several years of experience in the medical and veterinary pharmaceutical industries, it’s Keely’s work ethic and drive that has gotten her where she is today.
 

 

It is also what earned her an invitation to the White House Forum on Women and the Economy that was held in April. Keely was among nearly 200 women from all over the country who were part of a conversation about the critical role that women play in driving the country’s economic progress. She was invited to participate because of her observation in previous a work environment of gender inequality in the workforce, related specifically to compensation practices.
 

 

“After the president’s speech, I participated in a break-out session with the Secretary of the Department of Labor, and leaders from prominent organizations such as the AWP (Association of Women Professionals,) NOW (National Organization for Women) and other groups focused on equality issues,” says Keely. “The experience was very informative and being in a room with such amazing women who have worked so hard and accomplished so much in a variety of fields was pretty remarkable.”
 

 

In her position at Merck Animal Health, Keely has the opportunity to make a difference for a cause that has always been dear to her heart – the health, safety and love of all animals. After spending seven years “on the human side of things” as Keely says, she transitioned to veterinary pharmaceuticals and has loved working with veterinarians and pet owners.
 

 

As a Territory Manager, she is responsible for offering training sessions at animal hospitals and veterinary offices and for keeping up-to-date on the latest advancements in animal medicine. She enjoys the consultant part of her job the most, helping vets to grow their businesses and, in turn, helping the many animals that they care for. “I also love going to the shelters to educate the staff there on best sanitation and disease prevention practices,” says Keely, “because it is so important, especially in the shelters, that we keep animals safe.”
 

 

Keely’s concern and compassion for all creatures was evident from her time at Archmere onward, where she first got involved in community service and was inspired to give back. “The teachers at Archmere gave so much to us and volunteered their time tutoring, coaching, and making sure our experience was the best it could be. They really inspired me to want to go out and help others,” says Keely.
 

 

This past year, Keely organized a fleece coat drive for the children of Pine Ridge Indian Reservation in South Dakota, the poorest reservation in the country. With the help and support of friends and family (among them many Archmere graduates) she was able to send a fleece to every child at the Wounded Knee School on the reservation (which has about 140 students.)
 

 

Keely was originally introduced to the cause when she was an undergraduate at the University of Delaware, earning her BFA in Photography. During her senior year, she photographed a dance troop from the reservation that traveled for months at a time to raise money for their families on the reservation. Inspired by their story, she ran a small fundraiser at a local bar to raise money to purchase hats & gloves for the children of the reservation. Today, Keely’s hope is that she will be able to continue to support the children of the Pine Ridge Reservation, who suffer harsh winters and poor living conditions.
 

 

When looking back on her experience at Archmere, Keely reflects on a number of teachers who inspired her. “It seemed like all of the faculty members were always encouraging us to do our best,” she says, struggling to name just one or two. “Mr. Newitt and Mr. Becker were very influential for me because I spent a lot of time in the art department,” she says, “and I have such an admiration for Mr. Bernard, who was our English teacher.” Father Collins, Father McLaughlin and Mr. Jordan are just a few of other teachers she recalls fondly.
 

 

In addition to being a gifted artist, Keely was involved with the field hockey and softball teams, played intermural bowling and participated in service trips with Habitat for Humanity.
 

 

“I have always wanted to be successful,” says Keely, “and I think that inspiration and drive really began at Archmere.”