Ursula Burns

Ursula M. Burns, born on September 20, 1958, is a distinguished American business executive and engineer, renowned for her groundbreaking leadership in the corporate world. She made history as the first black woman to serve as CEO of a Fortune 500 company, leading Xerox from two thousand nine to two thousand sixteen. Her tenure not only marked a significant milestone for diversity in business but also showcased her exceptional capabilities in steering a major corporation.

In addition to her role at Xerox, where she also served as chairman from two thousand ten to two thousand seventeen, Burns has held influential positions on the boards of several prominent companies, including Uber, American Express, and ExxonMobil. Her leadership extended beyond the corporate sector as she chaired the President's Export Council from two thousand fifteen to two thousand sixteen and was vice chair from two thousand ten to two thousand fifteen under President Barack Obama.

Burns's impact on the field of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) is notable, as she led a national program in this area from two thousand nine to two thousand sixteen. In two thousand fourteen, her influence was recognized when Forbes ranked her as the twenty-second most powerful woman in the world.

After her time at Xerox, Burns took on the role of chairperson and CEO of VEON from late two thousand eighteen to early two thousand twenty. She is currently the Non-Executive Chairwoman of Teneo and co-founded the private equity firm Integrum Holdings in two thousand twenty-one, further solidifying her status as a leader in the business community.