In 2026, WBENC proudly continues its tradition of honoring exceptional women business owners through the WBE Star Award. Selected by their Regional Partner Organizations, the 14 WBE Stars exemplify this year’s theme of IMPACT, demonstrating meaningful influence across their businesses, communities, and industries through leadership, excellence, and service.
Throughout the year, the 2026 WBE Stars will be featured on the WBENC website, culminating in their celebration at the 2026 WBENC National Conference, June 15–18, in Salt Lake City, Utah, where thousands will gather to do business and honor the strength and impact of the WBENC Network.
Meet Kelly Adels Hess, CEO of CompuCycle, with the Women’s Business Enterprise Alliance Regional Partner Organization. Kelly is a recognized leader in advancing transparency, sustainability, and operational excellence—while consistently reinforcing that IT asset disposition isn’t a recycling decision, but a data-risk and brand protection decision. Known for her principled, hands-on leadership style, she brings disciplined governance and unwavering accountability to a sector that is both complex and difficult to regulate.
She leads Houston’s first woman-owned, dual-certified (e-Stewards and R2v3) ITAD firm—and one of the few in the industry to achieve ISO 27001 certification, demonstrating the highest standard of information security and operational control. Under Kelly’s leadership, CompuCycle has set a new benchmark for what responsible, secure, and transparent IT asset disposition should look like.
CompuCycle operates with rigorous in-house controls at its 130,000-square-foot secure Houston facility, where data destruction, equipment refurbishment and redeployment, and responsible processing of scrap electronics and e-plastics are all carried out under direct oversight. By keeping critical operations internal, the company eliminates third-party exposure and reinforces secure chain of custody—delivering true risk reduction and brand protection for its clients. This disciplined approach brings clarity and consistency to decisions that impact organizations, employees, communities, and the environment.
Kelly’s forward-thinking leadership positions CompuCycle as an innovator in the circular economy—pairing environmental stewardship with measurable business outcomes and audit-ready accountability.
Get inspired by Kelly’s insights!
CompuCycle offers a comprehensive range of IT recycling services designed to meet the evolving needs of modern businesses. As one of the top processors in the country, CompuCycle operates with a unique model—handling all processing in-house with zero downstream vendors. This enables complete control over every stage of the lifecycle—eliminating downstream risk, protecting sensitive data, and ensuring audit-ready accountability for every asset handled.
From secure data destruction to asset value recovery through responsible remarketing, CompuCycle transforms IT challenges into opportunities—protecting organizations while advancing sustainability and circularity.
Wisdom from WBE Star, Kelly Adels Hess
How do you define “IMPACT” in your own words?
Impact, to me, is doing work that truly matters—work that protects people, honors trust, and creates positive ripple effects long after the moment has passed. It’s leading with integrity, caring deeply about outcomes, and knowing that how we do something is just as important as what we do. Real impact leaves people, communities, and the planet better because we were part of the story.
In what tangible ways is your business generating “IMPACT”?
We generate impact by doing the work the right way, every day. We protect people and organizations by securely destroying data, we protect the planet by keeping electronics out of landfills through true domestic recycling, and we protect trust by being fully accountable for every asset we touch.
Beyond operations, we invest in people—creating jobs, supporting workforce development, and educating students and communities on responsible technology and circular solutions. One of the most meaningful examples of this is our partnership with Pearland ISD and Goodwill Houston through our TechCycle program. Together, we’ve created a hands-on learning environment where students—many with disabilities—gain real-world experience dismantling electronics, building technical skills, and developing confidence for the workforce. It’s a model that not only supports responsible recycling, but also creates opportunity, purpose, and a pathway to independence.
What suggestions would you like to share with business leaders looking to expand their IMPACT?
Expand your impact by thinking beyond growth and focusing on responsibility. Be intentional about how your business affects people, communities, and the environment. Invest in long-term relationships, not just short-term wins. Build trust through transparency, hold yourself to higher standards than required, and use your platform to open doors for others. The most meaningful impact comes when success is shared and values lead the way.
What key lessons have you learned from mentors and peers as a business owner?
I’ve learned that how you lead matters as much as what you build. The best mentors taught me to treat everyone with respect, listen more than I speak, and stay grounded during both success and challenge. I’ve also learned the value of surrounding yourself with people who challenge you, tell the truth, and share your values—because strong relationships, integrity, and consistency are what sustain a business over time.
Looking ahead, what legacy of impact do you hope to leave in the business community?
I hope to leave a legacy that shows growth and integrity can coexist—and that doing the right thing is good business.
I want to be known for building trust, creating opportunity, and setting a higher standard for accountability, security, and sustainability—while helping redefine how organizations think about risk, responsibility, and the true lifecycle of their technology.
