Bridget Burns

Named one of the “Most Innovative People in Higher Education” by Washington Monthly magazine, Dr. Bridget Burns is an innovation, collaboration and student success expert, presidential advisor and CEO. Her work has been highlighted in national outlets like The New York Times, Fast Company and "60 Minutes;" additionally, she was featured in the 2019 documentary “Unlikely” about America's college dropout crisis and the barriers students face in their pursuit of a college degree and meaningful career.

From growing up with humble origins in a low-income family in rural Montana to serving as a trusted advisor to more than 40 college presidents, Dr. Burns is on a mission to transform the way higher education thinks about innovation and change, and takes action to serve low-income, first generation, and students of color.

She is the founding CEO of the award-winning University Innovation Alliance (UIA), a multi-campus laboratory for student success innovation focused on dramatically increasing the number and diversity of college graduates through testing, scaling and implementing innovative practices. Founded in 2014, the UIA campuses have achieved massive change for their nearly half a million students, producing 143,000 more graduates than originally expected -- and adding 41% more low-income graduates and 89% more graduates of color along the way.

Dr. Burns' conversational style melds storytelling, standup comedy, practical tools, and candid insights leaving audiences inspired and motivated to drive change regardless of where they sit on the org chart.

Based in Portland, Oregon, Dr. Burns received her Doctorate of Education from Vanderbilt University in Higher Education, Leadership & Policy.