Kelly has nearly two decades of research experience, with expertise in race, ethnicity, class, place, and opportunity. She has a broad background in qualitative and mixed-methods research design for formative and impact evaluation, learning, and measurement. Kelly holds a PhD in Geography and Urban Studies and an MA in American Studies, concentrating on race, ethnicity, and class.

Kelly leads several projects at Equal Measure, emphasizing equity, impact measurement, communication, and strategy. She directs the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation’s (BMGF) National Scale Enterprise (NSE) learning and evaluation engagement. This initiative aims to transform postsecondary institutions and improve outcomes for priority learners. Kelly also supervises Equal Measure’s learning and evaluation partnerships with PolicyLink and leads a research project documenting scalable postsecondary online learner support to benefit BMGF priority learners. She recently led engagements focused on equity measurement and messaging strategy for the Boston Foundation (2022–2024) and planning for the Center for Leadership Equity at the United Way of Greater Philadelphia and Southern New Jersey (2023–2024).

Before Equal Measure, Kelly led or co-led research and evaluations of place-based interventions, including Say Yes to Education, Cleveland; the Philadelphia Community Schools initiative; and several pilots funded by the United Way of Greater Philadelphia and Southern New Jersey. She also conducted research that privileged the perspective of Black nonprofit leaders and offered recommendations for Philadelphia’s regional funders about how they can best support Black-led and Black-serving nonprofit organizations. These experiences have leveraged her expertise in trust-based philanthropy and her commitment to advancing equity and social justice.

ASK KELLY ABOUT…

Her love for YouTube music reaction videos.