Meet 2026 Happening Woman Kelly Denti

Kelly Denti is one of the owners of Flemington, New Jersey's Nex Level Ninja – a gym offering Ninja Warrior Classes. Kelly believes in the power of organization and attention to detail, ensuring that every aspect of their services aligns perfectly with their mission to provide top-notch ninja training and fun-filled activities for their community. Kelly is well-known and respected in her town as someone who really works hard to make sure every kid has a fun and memorable experience – from providing the best birthday party to offering programs and financial help that fit the needs of families, so that all kids can be part of the fun.

What has inspired you to pursue your current career and/or passions?

I didn’t set out to build a career in youth sports. I was a single parent with a daughter who loved soccer, and like most parents, I just showed up—first to practices, then games, then more and more of the world around it. Over time I started to see how much those environments mattered. The right space can change a kid’s confidence. The wrong one can shut them down. I realized I wanted to be part of building the kind of place in Hunterdon County where kids feel stronger when they leave than when they walked in. What started as supporting my daughter over time became the work I’ve spent years committing myself to.

Can you share a defining moment in your career or life that shaped your path?

A defining moment for me was choosing to leave a stable career in banking and finance to build something more meaningful and closer to the community I was living in every day. It wasn’t the obvious choice, I had absolutely no idea what or how I was going to do it and there was no certainty it would work. But I knew I wanted to have a direct impact on people’s lives, not just numbers on a page. That decision changed how I measure risk, success, and purpose—and it set the direction for everything I’ve done since. 

How do you define success?

Success, to me, is when something you built keeps helping people long after you step back from it. It’s seeing kids grow up more confident than when they started. It’s when you see someone years later and they remember you. It’s knowing that what you created made someone’s path a little stronger or easier. That kind of success stays with you.

What values guide your personal and professional decisions?

The value that guides me most is showing up and following through. I believe people should be able to count on you to do what you say you’re going to do, especially when others are depending on it. I try to make decisions based on what is steady, practical, and genuinely helpful—not what is easiest in the moment. Over time, I’ve learned that consistency builds trust, and trust is what allows anything meaningful to grow.

What are you most proud of today?

I’m most proud of the community that grew around the business. Not the buildings or the programs themselves, but the people inside them. Watching kids find confidence they didn’t have before, watching families stay connected year after year, and seeing athletes grow into young adults who carry that strength forward—that’s what makes all of it worth it. I’m also incredibly proud that I had the opportunity to pitch two products to Walmart and was invited to their headquarters in Arkansas twice. The first time, I was able to bring my daughter with me, and sharing that moment with her—seeing what was possible through persistence and belief in an idea—meant more to me than the pitch itself. It’s something I’ll always carry with me.

What does leadership mean to you and how do you embody it in your work?

Leadership, to me, means being someone others can rely on when something needs to move forward. It’s about stepping in, making decisions when they’re not easy or obvious, and staying committed long after the excitement of the idea fades. I try to lead by being consistent, by doing the work alongside others, and by following through on what I start. If the people around me feel more confident taking their own steps because I took mine first, then I feel like I’ve done something meaningful.

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