Keetra Burnette, Chief Operating Officer, joined the Urban League of Greater Madison Executive team in January 2011.  Ms. Burnette is responsible for ensuring efficient and effective daily operations of the agency.  She also leads the cultivation and stewardship of individual and institutional investors in the ULGM's three Investment Funds: Education Innovation, Workforce Development and Charter School.  Additionally, Ms. Burnette is responsible for assisting the Executive Leadership team in identifying opportunities to partner with area agencies and businesses.

Previous to joining the Urban League of Greater Madison team, Ms. Burnette was employed for 10 years at the University of Wisconsin Hospital and Clinics.  While a member of the UWHC family, Ms. Burnette was instrumental in the organization’s implementation of Epic’s Electronic Health Record.

Ms. Burnette is very active in the community.  She is the Past President of the Madison Network of Black Professionals (MNBP), an Ambassador for the Greater Madison Chamber of Commerce and serves as a volunteer usher at the Overture Center for the Arts.

In 1995, Ms. Burnette moved to Madison, WI to attend the University of Wisconsin-Madison where she obtained her Bachelor of Arts degree in Journalism.  She currently lives on Madison’s West side with her husband Troy, their three children; Kiana, Tre and Jabriel, and their dog Blake. 

When asked what she likes most about her role at the Urban League of Greater Madison, she responded: “I am inspired by the members who participate in our Foundations Work Readiness program.  I love the fact that I get to see them just about every day.  It helps me remain focused on our larger mission, which is to have an impact on our whole community, one family at a time.”

When asked about her passion for the Urban League of Greater Madison mission, she responded: “I see my role here as a continuation of the legacy of my grandmother, Lucy Hawkins, who was a part of the great migration of African Americans to the upper Midwest.  My grandmother was a single parent of seven children who boarded a train from Mississippi to Chicago in search of a better life for her children, and she made it happen.  I am blessed to be in a position to offer a resource or a referral to determined and driven people (like my grandmother) who are in need of support and assistance in pursuit of their goals.”

“I have a picture of my grandmother on my desk.  She is a constant reminder of the hard work and courage required to bring about change.  I am honored to continue her legacy of being a game changing woman of integrity.” 

Connect with Keetra Burnette

kburnette@ulgm.org

608.729.1235