DeAngela Burns-Wallace

Dr. DeAngela Burns-Wallace is the president and CEO of the Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation, a private, nonpartisan organization focused on expanding access to economic opportunity, entrepreneurship, and educational advancement. Burns-Wallace has a career spanning public service, academia, and philanthropy, with a focus on advancing equitable economic mobility and leading organizations through community engagement and strategic planning. Under her leadership, the Kauffman Foundation has emphasized college access, workforce development, and entrepreneurship, maintaining its connection to Kansas City and its mission to support innovative solutions for societal advancement.

Burns-Wallace began her career as a diplomat with the U.S. Department of State, serving in China, South Africa, and Washington, D.C., where she gained a global perspective and experience in public service. She later held leadership roles at Stanford University, University of Missouri, and University of Kansas, where she supported diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives. Burns-Wallace became the first African American to serve as both secretary of administration and chief information technology officer for the State of Kansas, where she contributed to innovation and modernization in state government.

Burns-Wallace is a public speaker and thought leader with expertise in governance, technology, education policy, and social equity. She has received honors including the Kansas City CIO of the Year – Public Sector Award and recognition as a White House Champion of Change for College Opportunity. Her board service includes appointments to the Stanford University Board of Trustees and the Council on Foreign Relations, reflecting her cross-sector influence. Burns-Wallace’s career demonstrates a dedication to public service and positions her as a voice on economic mobility and community empowerment.