Beka Burton is a Certified Economic Developer with a passion for building communities where people and businesses can thrive. She brings nearly two decades of experience spanning statewide initiatives, cross-sector partnerships, and grassroots engagement.

Most recently, Beka served as an Economic Development Specialist at the University of Kentucky’s Blueprint Kentucky, where she led the launch of statewide Business Retention & Expansion platforms across all 120 counties and conducted in-depth community assessments to identify opportunities for growth. Previously, at the Kentucky Cabinet for Economic Development, she spearheaded projects that generated more than 1,000 jobs and secured $269 million in investments for underserved regions.

Beka’s career reflects her belief that creativity, collaboration, and inclusion are catalysts for resilient economies. She has partnered nationwide with Fortune 500 companies and small businesses alike, designed peer-learning programs, and fostered innovation to strengthen local capacity. At NGIN, she is excited to advance inclusive economic development by helping small and midsize cities unlock growth, impact, and opportunity for all.