Ursula Burns

Ursula Burns (born 1957) is an American engineer and business executive who broke significant barriers in corporate America as the first African American woman to serve as CEO of a Fortune 500 company. Born and raised in New York City, she earned a degree in engineering from Polytechnic University and joined Xerox in 1980 as an intern, beginning a transformative career with the company. Burns rose through the ranks based on her technical expertise and leadership acumen, serving in increasingly senior positions including President and later CEO from 2009 to 2016. Under her leadership, Xerox navigated significant industry transitions and maintained its market position during challenging economic times. Beyond her corporate role, Burns became an influential advocate for STEM education, diversity in technology, and women's advancement in business. She was instrumental in mentoring other executives and using her platform to address systemic inequities in corporate leadership. After leaving Xerox, she joined the boards of major corporations and continued her advocacy work. Burns's achievement in reaching the highest executive level in a major multinational corporation, coupled with her commitment to opening doors for others, has made her a symbol of possibility and persistence in addressing corporate diversity.