Nikki Keller
Nikki Keller, '13 - Movement Science
From Movement Science to Global Philanthropy
When Nikki Keller (’13, B.S. Kinesiology – Movement Science) first stepped onto Penn State’s campus, she had no idea her passion for human movement and wellness would one day take her around the world—and ultimately lead her to a career blending philanthropy, purpose, and global impact.
Now serving as Director of Philanthropy at Unified Commerce Group (UCG) in Los Angeles, Nikki leads initiatives that bring together mission-driven brands to create meaningful social impact. But her journey began, as many do, in the heart of Happy Valley.
At Penn State, Nikki poured her energy into experiences that shaped her leadership and love for community. She served as a Lion Scout, sharing her enthusiasm for Penn State with prospective students and their families through campus tours, panel discussions, and the iconic “Spend a Summer Day” events. She also found purpose in giving back through THON, serving on the Hospitality Committee her senior year—when the student-led organization raised a record-breaking $12 million for childhood cancer research and support.
Beyond campus life, Nikki gained real-world experience through an internship at Phoenix Rehabilitation and as an EMT volunteer with Centre County Lifelink as part of KINES 403. “Those experiences gave me a deep respect for the connection between movement, health, and human service,” she reflects.
After graduation, Nikki joined the Kinesiology Affiliate Program Group as a board member while beginning her career at Equinox in New York City. A few years later, a move to Hong Kong with her husband (and their dog) opened a new chapter of personal and professional growth. There, she launched a small online fitness business while pursuing her Master of Professional Studies in Nutritional Sciences through Penn State World Campus (’20).
“I was living abroad, running a business, and studying nutrition through Penn State—it was a challenge, but it reminded me how adaptable and resilient my Kinesiology foundation made me,” she says.
When Nikki returned to the U.S., she sought new ways to apply her education and values in non-traditional ways. She immersed herself in volunteer work, contributing to organizations such as the Utah Food Bank, Peace House (a domestic violence shelter in Park City), and the American Red Cross, where she served as a Biomedical Transportation Specialist.
Continuing her commitment to childhood cancer awareness and the Four Diamonds mission, Nikki participated in the Play for the Kids Donor Drive in September 2021—Childhood Cancer Awareness Month—where she became the largest individual fundraiser, raising over $10,000 directly benefiting Four Diamonds. “THON will always hold a special place in my heart,” she says. “Supporting Four Diamonds after graduation felt like coming full circle.”
Her journey took another exciting turn while living in Montreal, Quebec, where she reconnected with Lori Gravish Hurtack, who was developing the Street Medicine Initiative course at Penn State. This reconnection would later lead to an inspiring collaboration.
In Spring 2025, Nikki helped launch a philanthropic project in Los Angeles with Unified Commerce Group, uniting the Street Medicine team—Lori Gravish Hurtack, Brett and Corinne Feldman, and KINES 414 students—with several UCG brands, including Frank & Oak, Böhme, Greats, and Spiritual Gangster. Together, they provided in-kind donations to support the Street Medicine mission of caring for those experiencing homelessness.
“I felt deeply aligned with this project,” Nikki says. “It reflected the same principles I learned through Kinesiology—whole-person wellness, human flourishing, and the balance of mind, body, and spirit.”
As she continues to lead philanthropic initiatives that bridge business and purpose, Nikki’s Penn State roots remain central to her path. Whether through movement science, nutrition, or service, her story embodies what it means to live the Penn State values—no matter where in the world life leads.
This profile was published October 2025.