Hayley Kelch honored as woman of distinction

Hayley Kelch of Malverne was recently counted among thirteen women recognized as a “women of distiction” by Assemblywoman Judy Griffin. Ms. Kelch was chosen by Griffin for her numerous volunteering efforts and awarded an honor recognizing her as a champion for her community.

Having spent her childhood in Malverne, Kelch and her husband of 15 years, Tim, moved back to Malverne after living in Boston and Brooklyn. Working as an attorney for the past 16 years, Kelch spent 10 years with Cullen and Dykman LLP where she became a partner, specializing in commercial, education, and non-for-profit law. She is currently in-house counsel at PSEG Long Island where she focuses on transactions involving the purchase and sale of renewable resources like wind and solar energy.

Now, along with her two vibrant daughters Millie and Ella and German shepherd, Ready, the family has lived in Malverne for 12 years. Kelch has always taken the initiative in her community. She has worked alongside other parents and teachers as a part of several parent teacher associations as her daughters have risen through the Malverne public school system. In addition, she has acted as co-leader for two Girl Scout Troops at the Brownie and Junior levels.

“As a working mom, it’s difficult to be with my kids, so I volunteer my time to try to be with them as much as possible,” Kelch explained.  She says that, especially in being a co-leader of her daughters two Girl Scout troops, “it’s a labor of love.”

Assemblywoman Griffin presented Kelch and the twelve other women with citations and roses at the Rockville Centre Recreation Center on July 28. “These impressive women are the heart and soul of our communities,” Griffin remarked. “I am so grateful for their presence, leadership, compassion, and civic mindedness. In the challenging times we live in, I am so proud to represent these vibrant women who strive to make a positive impact.”

“It was wonderful having my family there to see me accept this award,” Kelch said of the occasion. “It was a great feeling to be thanked,” she said.

Kelch explained that she very much enjoyed serving on the PTA board. “They play a major role in this inclusivity between the three communities of Malverne, Lakeview, and Lynbrook”. Kelch was happy to report that she and other PTA members have been quite productive in her time serving, especially in expanding programs and activities. “We achieve these goals and the goals then become traditions,” she said.

The Maurice W. Downing PTA held its annual Kindergarten Playdate on August 6 to welcome incoming kindergarteners and families to the school district. Kelch has worked on the Maurice W. Downing PTA for years and served as co-president from 2017 to 2019. As her daughter Ella moved up in grades, Hayley Kelch is now secretary of the Herber PTA in addition to being co-vice president of the Davison PTA.

Kelch was previously recognized for her work in 2019, when she was named the Malverne/West Hempstead Herald’s person of the year. Her tireless efforts to help her community clearly continue to deservedly draw admiration.