Karlton Laster joined Burges & Burges Strategists in 2022. As a Research Associate, some of his responsibilities include:

• Obtaining and compiling data and research

• Writing and editing research reports, memos, and other documents

• Conducting in-depth interviews for qualitative research

• Formatting databases for analysis and presentation purposes

• Building online surveys and providing data analysis

EXPERIENCE Prior to joining Burges & Burges, Karlton served as Director, Equity Initiative, for The NewDEAL, a national membership organization of pro-business, liberal state and local elected officials based in Washington, D.C. In addition, Karlton has served as Cleveland Metro Director of the Ohio Environmental Council, where he managed a $375,000 grant; created a mini grants program to support local environmental justice organizations during the COVID-19 pandemic; and led the creation of the Cleveland Comprehensive Environmental Policy Platform. He also served as Special Assistant, Regional Collaboration, for Cuyahoga County from 2015 to 2018.

EDUCATION

Karlton graduated Cum Laude from The Ohio State University with a Bachelor of Arts in English and a Master of Arts in Public Policy and Administration from Northwestern University. Born and raised in Cleveland, Karlton serves on several local boards in the environmental and social services space. In his spare time, Karlton is an active essayist and poet, as well as an avid sports enthusiast.