The vice president of people and culture at Las Vegas-headquartered private jet operator Thrive Aviation has been named to the National Business Aviation Association’s (NBAA) Top 40 Under 40 list. Kelly Pryor has been with the company for more than three years, leading strategic initiatives to attract top talent, foster employee retention and elevate the overall employee experience.

For the eighth consecutive year, the NBAA Business Aviation Top 40 Under 40 awards have recognised emerging leaders actively shaping the future of business aviation. Recipients are selected by the NBAA Young Professionals (YoPro) Council based on professional achievements, community involvement, innovative thinking and dedication to the business aviation sector.

“Kelly exemplifies what it means to be a values-driven leader,” says Curtis Edenfield, CEO of Thrive Aviation. “Her passion for people, dedication to cultivating an inclusive and high-performing culture, and ability to inspire those around her have made a lasting impact at Thrive.”

Pryor holds a Master’s degree in Human Resources Management from Saint Francis University, a Bachelor of Science in Business Management from Providence College, and is certified as a Professional in Human Resources by the HR Certification Institute. With more than a decade in human resources, she has dedicated her career to creating thriving workplaces.

“I am incredibly honoured to be recognised among such a talented group of professionals,” comments Pryor. “At Thrive, I am fortunate to work with an extraordinary team that shares my passion for people and culture. This recognition is as much a reflection of their commitment as it is of my own, and I am excited to continue building an environment where people can do their best work and feel truly valued.”

Thrive Aviation is a globally operated private aviation services company, recognised as one of the nation’s top 10 charter operators. With corporate headquarters in Henderson, Nevada, and operational bases in Las Vegas, the company manages a fleet of light, super-mid, large cabin and ultra long-range aircraft and provides aircraft and fleet management services worldwide.

The NBAA will formally recognise the 2025 Top 40 Under 40 class during its annual Business Aviation Convention & Exhibition (NBAA-BACE), taking place 21–23 October 2025 in Las Vegas, Nevada.