Bridget Burns

Named one of the “Most Innovative People in Higher Education” by Washington Monthly, Dr. Bridget Burns is the founding CEO of the University Innovation Alliance (UIA), an award winning consortium of 19 public research universities working together to expand student success and unlock upward mobility at scale. Since 2014, UIA campuses have produced more than 160,000+ additional graduates, including a 43% increase in graduates from low-income backgrounds. A sought-after keynote speaker and national leader in institutional transformation, Dr. Burns’ work has been featured in The New York Times, Fast Company, 60 Minutes, and the documentary Unlikely. She holds a Doctorate in Higher Education Leadership and Policy from Vanderbilt University.