Bridget Burns

Dr. Bridget Burns is a nationally recognized leader in higher education innovation, named one of Washington Monthly’s “Most Innovative People in Higher Education.” As the founding CEO of the award-winning University Innovation Alliance (UIA), she has led a bold, collaborative movement to transform student success at scale. Over the past decade, UIA institutions have achieved unprecedented results, producing 164,000 additional graduates, increasing low-income graduates by 41%, and graduates of color by 100%—setting a new global standard for what’s possible through collaborative innovation in higher education. A sought-after international keynote speaker, Dr. Burns’ expertise has been featured in The New York Times, Fast Company, 60 Minutes, and the documentary Unlikely. She is known for her candid, forward-thinking approach to reimagining higher education, demystifying innovation, and helping universities break down barriers to student success. Dr. Burns earned her Doctorate of Education in Higher Education, Leadership & Policy from Vanderbilt University.