Tara Kelly

Tara Kelly, the dynamic and forward-thinking CEO and President of SPLICE Software, stands as a pioneering force in humanizing digital communication. As the founder and chief architect behind SPLICE Software, she has transformed how enterprises interact with their customers—infusing data, voice, and empathy into scalable, intelligent messaging systems that feel deeply personal. From early beginnings as a child coding enthusiast to becoming a multi-award-winning entrepreneur, Tara's journey is marked by a relentless pursuit of meaningful connection through innovation. Her belief in the power of personalization, coupled with a deep respect for data ethics, has placed her and her company at the forefront of voice technology and customer engagement.

The Spark of Innovation: A Childhood Fascination with Code
Tara’s love affair with technology began early. At just nine years old, she wrote her first lines of code, foreshadowing a career steeped in digital innovation. That early curiosity matured into a sense of purpose, and by the age of twenty, she had already launched her first business. Her natural inclination toward entrepreneurship was matched only by her desire to solve complex problems—particularly those that involved improving human interaction in a digital world. This foundation would later become the bedrock for SPLICE Software, a company born out of frustration with impersonal call center experiences and rigid communication systems that lacked empathy.

Building SPLICE: Where Data Meets Emotion
In 2006, Tara founded SPLICE Software with a bold goal: to transform how organizations use their customer data to drive meaningful conversations. The idea wasn’t to automate for the sake of efficiency alone, but to humanize communication through technology. SPLICE’s technology enables companies to send hyper-personalized voice, SMS, and email messages that use real-time data to speak directly to customer needs and emotions. Under Tara’s leadership, SPLICE secured a U.S. patent for its approach to data-driven dialogue, giving rise to a proprietary platform that blends predictive analytics with the sound and cadence of authentic human interaction.

SPLICE’s solutions now power the communications of major insurers, banks, retailers, and healthcare organizations. Using a model built around Customer-Driven Dialog™ and Data-Driven Dialog™, the platform doesn’t just deliver messages—it creates conversations. Tara envisioned a world where the voice on the phone knows you, where reminders and updates are delivered with context and care, and where businesses could finally speak to their customers in ways that feel both efficient and empathetic.

The Entrepreneurial Spirit: Guiding Innovation and Growth
Tara’s unique combination of creativity and analytical thinking has propelled SPLICE Software from a local Canadian startup to a global enterprise with operations in Toronto, Chicago, and Dusseldorf. As a leader, she is hands-on with strategy and deeply engaged in shaping the technological roadmap. Her ability to foresee customer trends and pivot accordingly has kept SPLICE ahead of the curve, particularly as the world moves toward conversational AI, voice-first interfaces, and privacy-first data practices.

What sets Tara apart is her refusal to settle for generic automation. She believes deeply that technology should serve human needs, not alienate them. Her leadership fosters a culture of curiosity, empathy, and continuous improvement. At SPLICE, teams are encouraged to think creatively, challenge norms, and build products that not only perform well but also feel right to the end-user. Tara’s leadership style is rooted in trust, empowerment, and a shared mission to make every digital interaction more human.

Recognition and Awards: A Legacy of Leadership
Tara’s impact has been widely recognized across industries. She has received the TechRev Innovation Award and has been honored as a finalist for RBC’s Canadian Women Entrepreneur Awards and Ernst & Young’s Entrepreneur of the Year. She has also been featured in Profit/Chatelaine’s W100 ranking of Canada’s top female entrepreneurs and named to Alberta Venture’s Fast Growth 50 list. In 2016, Avenue Calgary named her among its Top 40 Under 40, celebrating her role in building a multi-million-dollar business that redefines how businesses connect with people.

These accolades are a testament not only to Tara’s business success but to her ability to inspire others. She is frequently sought after as a keynote speaker and panelist, sharing her insights on customer experience, digital transformation, ethical data use, and women in technology. Her voice is one of both authority and authenticity—a rare combination that resonates deeply in boardrooms, conference halls, and classrooms alike.

Champion of Ethical Technology and Data Privacy
As AI, automation, and data collection continue to reshape our digital world, Tara has emerged as a vocal advocate for ethical technology. She champions transparency, informed consent, and responsible data stewardship in all of SPLICE’s operations. Her philosophy is clear: customers should not only receive value from their data but also retain agency over how it is used.

In an age when many tech leaders are fixated on scale at any cost, Tara maintains a balanced perspective. She believes that rapid innovation must be paired with thoughtful execution. This commitment to integrity has helped SPLICE earn trust in industries where privacy is paramount—like healthcare, finance, and insurance. Tara continues to lead by example, ensuring that innovation never comes at the expense of human dignity.

Giving Back and Leading with Purpose
Tara’s influence extends beyond business. She has served on the boards of organizations such as the Canadian Cloud Council, Technology Alberta, and the International Board for Voice User Interface Design. She is also deeply involved in philanthropic efforts, supporting causes like Food for the Sol, EO Water Walk, Special Olympics Ontario, and various youth programs. A believer in community and collaboration, Tara gives back through mentorship, advocacy, and active participation in movements that advance education, inclusion, and wellness.

Tara often speaks about her belief in “entrepreneurship as a vehicle for change.” To her, leadership isn’t just about growth and profits—it’s about creating opportunities, building inclusive cultures, and using business as a force for good. Her commitment to giving back is woven into the DNA of SPLICE, where charitable initiatives and community outreach are embraced at all levels.

Thought Leadership in the Digital Age
Tara’s ideas have been featured in leading publications including Forbes Tech Council, Digital Insurance, and Accounting Today. Her writing and interviews delve into the evolving nature of customer expectations, the power of conversational interfaces, and the future of human-AI collaboration. She brings a rare combination of technical fluency and emotional intelligence to every discussion, making her a sought-after thought leader in the global tech community.

Whether speaking about the future of voice technology or exploring the social implications of AI, Tara brings clarity, passion, and a strong moral compass to every dialogue. She pushes the industry to think more holistically, urging companies to build not only smarter systems but kinder systems—technologies that elevate the human experience rather than replace it.

Workplace Culture that Reflects Leadership Values
At SPLICE, Tara has created a work environment that reflects her leadership philosophy—people-first, purpose-driven, and playfully curious. The company is known for its vibrant culture, where employee well-being is treated as a strategic asset. From inclusive hiring practices to thoughtfully designed workspaces and team-building events, Tara ensures that culture is never an afterthought. She believes that inspired employees create inspired products, and that a company's internal energy is directly reflected in the customer experience.

Her leadership has fostered a sense of belonging and pride among SPLICE’s diverse teams. Innovation, collaboration, and empathy are not just words on a wall—they are values lived and reinforced every day. Under Tara’s direction, SPLICE continues to be recognized not only for its technical excellence but also for its outstanding workplace culture.

A Vision for the Future: More Human, More Connected
Looking ahead, Tara envisions a world where technology seamlessly enhances the human experience—where businesses can engage with customers in ways that are intelligent, respectful, and emotionally resonant. She is focused on expanding SPLICE’s presence globally, exploring new applications of voice AI, and deepening the integration of predictive analytics and real-time personalization. But more than that, she remains dedicated to her core mission: making digital conversations more human.

She sees the future of communication as one of deeper connection—where machines adapt to human context rather than the other way around. Tara is not just building a company; she is helping to shape an industry where authenticity, privacy, and empathy take center stage. Through her leadership, SPLICE is helping organizations move from transactional contact to transformational dialogue—one message, one voice, one experience at a time.

Executive Overview
Tara Kelly is the Founder, CEO, and President of SPLICE Software, a company that is transforming customer engagement through intelligent, personalized communication. Based in Calgary, with a global presence, she has built SPLICE into a recognized leader in voice-first technology and data-driven messaging. An entrepreneur, inventor, speaker, and ethical tech advocate, Tara has earned numerous accolades for her work, including Top 40 Under 40, TechRev Innovation Awards, and recognition from RBC, EY, and Profit/Chatelaine.

Final Thoughts: Innovation with Heart
Tara Kelly exemplifies what it means to lead with both vision and values. In a world increasingly driven by algorithms and automation, she reminds us that the most powerful technologies are those rooted in empathy. Her work at SPLICE Software proves that it’s possible to blend innovation with intention—and that every data point, when used thoughtfully, can help build relationships, trust, and lasting impact.