Educated as an industrial engineer, Burnette later became interested in supporting students at historically black colleges and universities (HBCUs).

In August 2022, Burnette was announced as the next president and CEO of Newfields in Indianapolis, Indiana.

[2] After graduating from Ohio State with a Bachelor of Science in engineering in 1980, she worked in several corporate and government jobs, including as a computer analyst at The Washington Post, an operations support engineer at Procter & Gamble, and in project management services at the Washington State Department of Transportation.

[2][3] Burnette was inspired by visits to her husband's alma mater, Morehouse College, to switch careers and focus on developing the mission of HBCUs.

[1] She was recognized for her work to strengthen Huston–Tillotson University and her service as co-chair for the Mayor's Task Force on Institutional Racism and Systemic Inequities.