Kelly has two decades of research experience, with expertise in place, socioeconomics, and opportunity. She uses qualitative and mixed-methods research design for developmental, formative, and impact learning, evaluation, and strategy. Kelly holds a PhD in Geography and Urban Studies and an MA in American Studies, with a concentration in race, ethnicity, and class.

Kelly leads several projects at Equal Measure, emphasizing equity, impact measurement, communication, and strategy. She directs the Gates Foundation’s National Scale Enterprise (NSE) learning and evaluation engagement, an initiative that aims to transform postsecondary institutions and improve outcomes for learners with the greatest needs. She is an advisor on evaluations for The Pew Charitable Trusts and United Way of Greater Philadelphia and Southern New Jersey and currently co-leads a developmental evaluation of the MissDelta initiative for the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine with partners at Mathematica. She previously led engagements focused on equity measurement and messaging strategy for the Boston Foundation (2022–2024), planning for the Center for Leadership Equity (2023–2024), and designing learning and evaluation frameworks with PolicyLink and GARE.

Before Equal Measure, Kelly led or co-led research and evaluations of place-based interventions, including Say Yes to Education in Cleveland; the Philadelphia Community Schools initiative; and several programs funded by United Way Philadelphia. In 2022, she conducted research that privileged the perspectives of Black nonprofit leaders and offered recommendations to Philadelphia’s regional funders on how best to support Black-led and Black-serving nonprofit organizations. These experiences have leveraged her commitment to equity and expertise in trust-based philanthropy.

ASK KELLY ABOUT…

Her love for YouTube music reaction videos.