Kelli Finglass

Kelli Cecile McGonagill Finglass is an American dance director, executive producer, TV personality, and former dancer. She is widely recognized as the director of the Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders, an organization she previously performed with as a member of the squad. Beyond her leadership role, she has featured prominently in television projects documenting the group, including serving as an executive producer and cast member on the former reality series Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders: Making the Team, as well as appearing in the Netflix series America's Sweethearts: Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders alongside Judy Trammell.

Raised in Lindale, Texas, Finglass attended Lindale High School and pursued dance and twirling from a young age. She went on to study modern dance at Texas Christian University, where she was affiliated with the Alpha Delta Pi sorority. She later earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in international marketing from the University of North Texas.

Finglass performed as a Dallas Cowboys Cheerleader from 1984 through 1989. During her tenure, she became the first cheerleader in the organization's history to be invited back to the squad without participating in the standard audition process. Following her departure from the line in 1989, she was hired by team owner Jerry Jones to serve as an assistant director for the cheerleading program from 1989 to 1990.

After working in the sales and promotions department for the Dallas Cowboys, Finglass was named the director of the Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders in 1991. In addition to directing the team, she functions as its business manager. Over her tenure, she transformed the cheerleading organization into a distinct business entity by securing numerous corporate sponsorships. She also created and refined several signature programs, including Camp DCC, Cheers for Fitness, Cheers for Years, and the DCC Dance & Drill Team Competitions.

In addition to her television work as an executive producer for CMT's Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders: Making the Team during its run from 2006 to 2021, Finglass appeared as herself in the feature film Dr. T & the Women.

On a personal level, Finglass married Joel Finglass in 1996. The couple has two children, a son named Ryan and a daughter named Samantha. They reside in Coppell, Texas, and belong to the Tambourine Church congregation.