Kelly D. Horton, MS, RDN

Kelly Horton, MS, RDN is a high performing executive level government relations and public affairs leader and nationally recognized food systems and environmental nutrition policy expert. Kelly has served in leadership roles in private and publicly held for-profit companies, non-profit management, within the Obama Administration, and as a senior advisor to members of Congress. As a change agent, Kelly is relied on as a strategic advisor, influencer, advocate, and stakeholder relations builder. Her passion and commitment to serving as a catalyst to create dynamic solutions informed by solid science has helped move the needle on transparency and build trust in the food system. Kelly is committed to social justice, informing responsible organizational decisions, and pursuing public policy with evidence-based underpinnings to create sustainable solutions resulting in happier, healthier lives for people across geographic areas and socio-economic groups.

Kelly is Chief Program Officer at The Food Research & Action Center, the nation’s leading national nonprofit working to improve the nutrition, health, and well-being of people struggling against poverty-related hunger in the U.S. Previously, Kelly was Senior Director of Government Relations at The Pew Charitable Trusts, and prior to that, she served as Senior Vice President of Food Advisory & Corporate Reputation at Edelman and North America Policy Director for Mars, Incorporated. Kelly earned her Master of Science in Food Policy and Applied Nutrition from Tufts University’s Friedman School of Nutrition Science and Policy and her certification in dietetics from Simmons College. She also earned a bachelor's degree in Business Management.