Kelda Stetson Obituary: Visionary Public‑Sector Sales Leader, Dies Peacefully
Ashburn, VA – The tech and gov‑services industries mourn the loss of Kelda Stetson, a dynamic sales executive who passed away peacefully early this morning under the care of her hospice team. She was comforted by her mother at her side, joined shortly after by family including her husband, Mike Stetson. “She was surrounded by all the love in the world,” Mike shared in a heartfelt Facebook post announcing her passing.
Dedicated Career Championing Public‑Sector Software
With over 20 years of experience in enterprise sales and client success, Kelda built her reputation through a profound belief in servant leadership and collaborative innovation. She was appointed Chief Sales Officer of BS&A Software in July 2024, where she led revenue‑growth strategy for the municipal‑focused software provider, helping towns nationwide improve finance, billing, and community‑development systems.
Prior to BS&A, Kelda spent nearly a decade at Granicus (2015–2024), serving as Vice President of State and Local Enterprise Sales and later Vice President of State Government Sales. In these roles, she cultivated relationships across state and local governments, pioneering solutions that streamlined public‑sector digital outreach. Before Granicus, she strengthened client retention at GovDelivery and held key sales roles at both Bank of America Merchant Services and Wells Fargo.
A Dickinson College graduate in Economics and International Business, she earned her MBA in Marketing from UMass Amherst. Colleagues remember a leader who combined technical insight with heartfelt mentorship.
A Natural Leader Who Nurtured Community and Culture
Kelda’s impact extended far beyond quarterly numbers. She was known for building inclusive, culture‑driven teams—earning admiration for her coaching mindset and hands‑on approach. On LinkedIn she championed public‑sector recruitment and team growth, saying, “There is no better time to join the Granicus family – we are experiencing record‑breaking growth”
Friends and coworkers describe a warm mentor who celebrated victories and treated customer challenges as shared missions. Her leadership style—a fusion of empathy, strategy, and cultural fluency—became a blueprint for peers across govtech.
A Quiet Courage: Family Updates and Final Days
In the weeks before her passing, Mike kept their community updated with sober honesty. “She’s been undergoing dialysis… they’re experimenting with giving her time off the breathing tube,” he wrote, acknowledging gradual improvements but also admitting the fatigue was significant. When she paused breathing support and briefly opened her eyes, hope stirred. But Mike emphasized the team’s optimism and the overwhelming support they’d received from friends and followers.
By this morning, Kelda slipped away surrounded by family love—her mother and Mike’s constant presence a testament to bonds of care and comfort. “Rest in peace, baby… You couldn’t possibly have lived a better life,” Mike wrote.
Looking Ahead: Celebration of Life
Plans are underway for a summer celebration of life. While details are pending, the family promises it will honor Kelda not with solemnity alone—but with stories, laughter, and the generosity of spirit she embodied.
Honoring Kelda:
Michelle Pho, Senior Technical Product Owner at Granicus: “Kelda’s door was always open. She taught me how to balance target‑driven work with authentic care.”
Graeham Heil, Product Owner: “Under her leadership we didn’t just sell software—we solved real problems for real people.”
Kelda Stetson’s legacy resonates through the lives she touched—as a leader, mentor, wife, daughter, and friend. This carefully crafted tribute aims to both honor her memory and meet the expectations of audiences across Facebook, search engines, and digital news platforms: heartfelt storytelling, clear structure, and emotional resonance without embellishment.
Her journey—from Dickinson College classrooms to shaping technology for state and local government—stands as a testament to purposeful leadership. As summer approaches, we will share details of the celebration of life. For now, we remember her courage, her vision, and the love she poured into every endeavor.
Survived by husband Mike Stetson, her mother, extended family, and a community of colleagues and friends. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations in her name to local hospice services or a public‑sector innovation fund to continue her mission of service through technology.
