[1] Since the early 2000s, Kelley and her husband have been known for their lavish parties, with guest lists including military leaders and other dignitaries.

The board expressed confidence that her appointment would greatly strengthen key relationships with global organizations, citing her extensive experience in high-level international leadership roles and her history of engaging with royals, presidents, prime ministers, and parliamentarians to advance military, security, and economic partnerships.

[9][10][11] During President Biden's first Thanksgiving visit to Nantucket Island in 2021, Jill and Scott Kelley opened up their Nantucket compound to serve  a holiday meal to nearly 150 State Troopers and Secret Service agents left out of Thanksgiving plans due to a scheduling error.

[22] The Kelleys have since continued the tradition of hosting POTUS security team every holiday that the president visited Nantucket Island.

[23] Jill and Scott Kelley met General David Petraeus when he was transferred to MacDill Air Force Base in November 2008.

Through the Petraeuses, the Kelleys became close to other senior military personnel, including John R. Allen and Robert Harward.

[24] In addition, she stated "false and untrue headlines created a media sideshow" at her expense, including her being wrongfully implicated in the extramarital affair between Petraeus and Broadwell.