37 | Education: Baylor University | Company: Hawkins-Welwood Homes
Kelly Ongena has spent the past nine years helping shape Dallas neighborhoods through her work with Hawkins-Welwood Homes, a family-oriented custom home builder. She combines her knowledge of real estate with a passion for building relationships, guiding clients to create spaces where life’s most important moments unfold.
Her dedication to the community mirrors her professional commitment. After seeing the impact of parental investment in education, Ongena became involved in volunteer initiatives at Armstrong Elementary School. As a co-chair of the 2025 Armstrong Bradfield Preschool Association Homes for the Holidays Home Tour, she helped raise valuable funds for programs benefitting young learners.
“Hawkins-Welwood builds many homes in the area, so I’m constantly connected to the community through our projects and the families we serve — it’s where we live, work, and raise our kids,” she said.
Ongena credits her parents for instilling in her the value of community involvement. Her path to Dallas was shaped by her undergraduate work at Baylor University, where she double majored in real estate and professional sales and discovered an early interest in entrepreneurship.
Ongena balances her professional achievements and family life, which includes her husband and two children, with meaningful civic engagement.
“I’m so grateful for this incredible community,” she said. “The Park Cities has given my family roots, friendships, and opportunities to serve.”
What (or who) motivated you to get involved in the community?
Growing up, I saw how strong community ties make a place special, and my parents always emphasized giving back. When we settled in the Park Cities and started our family here, seeing the impact of involved parents at Armstrong inspired me to jump in. Watching our schools excel because of that investment — and wanting the best possible environment for my children — motivated me to roll up my sleeves and contribute through volunteering and fundraising. In the end, everything I do is for my family.
What is your favorite part of your current job or community involvement?
My favorite part of my job is the relationships — working with such a talented, family-like team at Hawkins-Welwood and seeing homeowners light up when they step into their finished home. In community involvement, it’s the same: the joy of collaborating with other parents and volunteers on events, knowing we’re directly improving our schools and enriching the Park Cities for our kids and future generations.
Are you where you thought you’d be when you graduated from high school?
Not exactly. I grew up in Oklahoma City and was so excited to get to Baylor and Texas, but I never pictured the depth of family and community life I’d build in Dallas. Baylor brought me Cameron, my career path, and eventually our home in the Park Cities. It’s turned out even better than I imagined, blending professional success with raising our two kids in such a supportive place.
What was your first job and what did you learn from it?
While at Baylor, my first real intro into real estate was buying investment properties and starting a small rental management company with my father. It taught me the basics of responsibility, negotiation, and building trust with people — skills that are at the core of everything I do now in sales and homebuilding. Those early lessons in hard work and relationship-building have been invaluable.
Was there a “lightbulb moment” that led to your career? If so, what was it?
Yes. After graduating from Baylor, I followed my passion for cooking and went straight to culinary school. While there, I helped a family friend launch and grow a frozen yogurt company from the ground up. It was like earning a master’s in entrepreneurship: we scouted locations, negotiated leases, developed concepts, and eventually managed seven different stores. I learned so much about business operations, team management, and turning ideas into reality under her mentorship, and I’m forever grateful for that experience. After, I decided to circle back to my real estate roots. A couple of years later, when Hawkins-Welwood was hiring for a sales role, it felt like the perfect alignment combining my sales background, entrepreneurial lessons, and love for creating meaningful spaces for families. That opportunity clicked, and I’ve been thriving here ever since.
What accomplishment are you the proudest of and why?
Volunteer-wise, I’m proudest of co-chairing last year’s ABPA Home Tour. I got to team up with one of my best friends, dive deep into the homebuilding industry I love, and highlight one of Hawkins-Welwood Homes’ beautiful remodels as a featured stop on the tour. It was an enormous amount of work coordinating everything — from homeowner outreach to logistics and promotion — but watching our dedicated team pull it off flawlessly, raise substantial funds (with nearly all going directly to support kindergarten and first-grade programs at Armstrong and Bradfield), and bring our school community even closer together made every late night worth it. Knowing those resources will enhance educational experiences for my own kids, and so many other families in the Park Cities is incredibly meaningful — it’s living proof that when we come together, we can create real, lasting impact right here at home.
Which leadership skills have been the most challenging for you to develop and why?
The leadership skill I’ve found most challenging is navigating and addressing conflict head-on. I don’t like conflict at all — it can feel uncomfortable and draining — so my instinct is often to keep the peace, and hope things resolve themselves, which sometimes means delaying tough conversations or decisions that might upset someone. That approach doesn’t always serve the team or the bigger picture in the long run. John Hawkins, our President of Hawkins-Welwood, has a phrase that says, “bad news doesn’t get better with time” and I am constantly working to make sure I am growing in my challenges. What makes it easier and keeps me growing is the incredible support system I have at Hawkins-Welwood. My team is truly one of the best parts of the company — they work so hard, encourage each other constantly, and lift me up every day. Surrounding myself with passionate, dedicated people (both at work and in volunteer roles) makes leadership feel more collaborative and less daunting. I’m always learning how to be a stronger leader through them, and that growth helps me in every part of life — being a better wife, mom, friend, daughter, sister, etc. Everything truly is easier and more rewarding when you’re surrounded by great people who share your passion and commitment.
What do you see is the biggest challenge facing Dallas right now? If you had the connections and resources to change that, what would you do?
One major challenge is ensuring access to high-quality education and community resources as the area grows so quickly. With the right resources, I’d expand programs that boost parent and community involvement in schools — like scalable versions of what ABPA does — plus partnerships for affordable housing options that keep families rooted here, so Dallas continues to grow and stay strong for the next generation.
If someone made a movie about your life, what would it be called and who would play you?
Everyone always tells me I look like Allison Williams, so she would probably be a strong candidate.
What is your favorite local restaurant or shop?
We frequent Mi Cocina in Highland Park Village quite a lot. It’s a go-to for family dinners, mambos with friends, and that classic Park Cities vibe. It’s always reliable, fun, and kid-friendly.
What’s on your bucket list?
Family travel adventures top the list. We love exploring new places with friends and family! We’ve been so blessed to visit so many beautiful spots already (Scotland was an incredible trip last summer), and I would love to go to Africa and see more of Europe. One big thrill on my personal list is swimming with a great white shark — safely, of course, through one of those cage diving experiences that let you get up close in their world. We love experiencing different foods and cultures firsthand, and there’s nothing better than watching my kids try new things, taste unfamiliar flavors, and experience the world for the first time. Those moments create memories that last a lifetime!
What do you have in mind for after 40?
I want to keep building in meaningful ways, perhaps stepping into even greater leadership roles in philanthropy and community organizations, mentoring, and finding new ways to expand our family’s impact through Hawkins-Welwood and exciting new ventures ahead. Professionally and personally, I’m excited to keep growing while watching my kids move through each new chapter of life. We have such a wonderful circle of friends and family here in Dallas, and I look forward to many more backyard family dinners, lake trips, vacations, bike rides, and all the little moments that make life so full. Every decade so far, I’ve thought, “This is the best one yet,” and I’m genuinely looking forward to saying the same about my 40s — while still treasuring every bit of my 30s right now.
Is there anything else you think we should know about you?
I’m so grateful for this incredible community. The Park Cities has given my family roots, friendships, and opportunities to serve. Between raising our kids, building homes with an amazing company, and volunteering, I feel truly blessed. I’m excited about the future here and honored to be considered for 20 Under 40!
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