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United States Ursula Burns is a distinguished businesswoman known for her transformative leadership as the first Black woman to head a Fortune 500 company, Xerox, and her ongoing advocacy for inclusive capitalism and racial equity.
Burns was the CEO of Xerox from 2009 to 2016. In this role, Burns was the first black woman to lead a Fortune 500 company. She is also the first woman to follow another as the head of a Fortune 500 company. Burns led Xerox as its CEO in a period of transition, including a major acquisition and a corporate split. Shortly after being named CEO in 2009, Ursula spearheaded the largest acquisition in Xerox history, the $6.4 billion purchase of Affiliated Computer Services. She was the Chairman of Veon Ltd. from 2017 to 2020 and CEO from 2018 until 2020. She served as CEO of Xerox from 2009 to 2016, and as Chairman.
Burns was the Chairman of Veon Ltd. from 2017 to 2020 and CEO from 2018 until 2020.
Burns is the Non-Executive Chairwoman of Teneo. She joined Teneo as a senior advisor in June 2017.
In 2021, Burns co-founded private equity firm Integrum Holdings. The firm focuses on technology-enabled services companies.
Burns served on the board of directors of Uber.
Burns served on the board of directors of American Express.
Burns served on the board of directors of ExxonMobil.
Burns served on the board of directors of Datto Inc.
Burns served on the board of directors of Nestlé.
Burns served on the board of directors of Boston Scientific.
Burns provides leadership counsel to FIRST, an organization focused on promoting science and technology.
Burns served on the board of directors of the National Association of Manufacturers.
Burns served on the board of directors of the University of Rochester.
Burns served on the board of directors of the MIT Corporation.
Burns served on the board of directors of the Rochester Business Alliance.
Burns served on the board of directors of the RUMP Group.
In 2020, Burns was appointed to the board of directors of Waystar.
Burns remains on the board of Endeavor Group Holdings.
Burns remains on the board of IHS Holding.
Burns provides leadership counsel to the Ford Foundation.
Burns provides leadership counsel to the Metropolitan Museum of Art.
Burns provides leadership counsel to the Mayo Clinic.
In April 2024, Burns was nominated for the board of directors of Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co.
Under President Barack Obama, Burns led the White House National STEM program from 2009 to 2016.
Burns was chairwoman of the President's Export Council from 2015 to 2016, following her role as vice chair from 2010 to 2015.
In February 2022, Burns joined the U.S. Department of Commerce's Advisory Council on Supply Chain Competitiveness as Vice Chair.
Burns provides leadership counsel to the National Academy Foundation.
Burns provides leadership counsel to the U.S. Olympic Committee.
Burns is a founding board director of Change the Equation, which focuses on improving the U.S.'s education system in science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM).
Burns served as vice chairwoman of the executive committee of The Business Council between 2013 and 2014.
Ursula Burns was born in 1958 in New York City, growing up in the Baruch Houses, a housing project. Her mother, a Panamanian immigrant, raised her. Burns pursued higher education, earning a B.S. degree in mechanical engineering from the Polytechnic Institute of New York in 1980 and an M.S. degree in engineering from Columbia University in 1981. Her career at Xerox Corporation began as a summer intern in 1980, a position she secured through a minority education program. She officially joined the company after completing her master’s degree, working in product development and planning roles throughout the 1980s.
Burns’ career trajectory at Xerox evolved as she moved into management roles. In 1990, she accepted a position as an executive assistant, and in 1991, she became executive assistant to Paul Allaire, then Chairman and Chief Executive. By 1999, she was named vice-president for global manufacturing. In 2000, Burns advanced to senior vice president of corporate strategic services, working closely with Anne Mulcahy. She became president of business group operations in 2002 and president of Xerox in 2007. Her leadership culminated in 2009 when she was appointed CEO, becoming the first Black woman to lead a Fortune 500 company. She also served as Chairman from 2010 to 2017. During her tenure, Burns oversaw significant strategic initiatives, including the largest acquisition in Xerox history, the $6.4 billion purchase of Affiliated Computer Services, and the company’s split into two independent entities, Xerox Corporation and Conduent Incorporated, in 2016.
After her time at Xerox, Burns continued to contribute to global business and public service. She served as CEO of the global telecommunications firm Veon from 2018 until 2020, having previously been Chairman from 2017. In 2021, she co-founded the private equity firm Integrum Holdings. Burns has also held numerous board positions with major corporations like Uber, American Express, and ExxonMobil, and has been involved in public service, including leading the White House national STEM program and serving on the President’s Export Council under President Barack Obama. She is an outspoken advocate for inclusive capitalism and racial equity, topics she explores in her 2021 memoir, “Where You Are Is Not Who You Are.”
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