Kelly Burton is the founder and principal of Nexus Research Group, a full-service consulting firm specializing in community-based research. She previously served as a Senior Research Specialist with Emory University's Office of University-Community Partnerships where she contributed to research on a range of metropolitan issues, from prisoner re-entry to affordable housing and regional equity.

As an independent consultant, Burton has provided training and facilitation on topics including urban governance, neighborhood change, civic and community engagement and youth leadership development. She is the author of numerous reports and course curricula, among them Managing Neighborhood Change: Best Practices for Communities Undergoing Gentrification (published by NeighborWorks America).

Burton holds a Bachelor Degree from Clark Atlanta University and a Ph.D. from Emory University, both in political science.