Education

M.A., English, Language Acquisition Specialization, University of North Carolina at Charlotte
B.A., English, University of North Carolina at Charlotte

Background

Kelly Kouchi joined the Department of Retailing at the University of South Carolina in fall 2024 as a skilled Salesforce administrator, project manager, teacher, and small business owner.

Prior to USC, she worked with Charlotte Pipe and Foundry in Charlotte, North Carolina, for over seven years and in multiple roles. Most recently, she successfully led the company-wide implementation and integration of the Salesforce platform. Kouchi's knowledge encompasses Salesforce Sales Cloud, Service Cloud, MFG Cloud, Salesforce Maps, and Account Engagement, earning her certifications as a Salesforce Administrator and Business Analyst.

Kouchi's teaching career has taken her across the globe to Europe and Japan. Her positions stateside have been as an English as a Second Language (ESL) Instructor at the University of Pennsylvania and the University of North Carolina at Charlotte, as well as a Fulbright program instructor.  Her dedication to education is evident in her ability to adapt to new technologies and create supplemental educational materials to meet student needs.

In addition to her professional roles, Kouchi has been an active volunteer and community leader. She co-led the Salesforce Charlotte Trailblazer Community and has volunteered in various school systems, serving in multiple leadership positions. Her volunteer work also includes tutoring and presenting Japanese and American cultural programs across educational settings.

Kouchi holds an M.A. in English with a specialization in language acquisition from the University of North Carolina at Charlotte and a B.A. in English from the same institution. She has also studied Japanese, German, French and Czech, showcasing her dedication to language acquisition and cultural exchange. With a diverse background in education, administration and technology, Kouchi brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to every role she undertakes.

Teaching

• RETL 350 – Sales Strategies
• RETL 362 – Principles of Customer Service

Professional Affiliations

• Salesforce Trailblazer Community