DeAngela Burns Wallace, Ed.D.
2024 Civic Leader of the Year
Dr. DeAngela Burns-Wallace has been a keynote speaker and panelist for Greater Missouri Challenge cohorts and is a tenacious supporter of the work of the Greater Missouri Leadership Foundation. She is currently serving as the president and chief executive officer of the Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation. With more than 2.5 billion dollars in assets, the Kauffman Foundation is one of the largest private foundations in the U.S. and focuses its work on providing equitable economic mobility for all.
For more than 25 years, Dr. Burns-Wallace’s leadership has opened greater access to opportunities, shaped policies that expand resources, and better positioned communities to thrive. An award-winning public sector leader and educator, Dr. Burns-Wallace is recognized for her ability to envision and implement innovative, data-informed solutions in complex organizations that yield sustainable impact.
Prior to joining the Kauffman Foundation, Dr. Burns-Wallace was the secretary of administration and the chief information technology officer for the State of Kansas under Governor Laura Kelly. She was the first African American to hold either cabinet seat in the state’s history.
Prior to Governor Kelly’s appointment, she had a 15-year career in higher education, serving at University of Kansas as vice provost for undergraduate education, University of Missouri as assistant vice provost of undergraduate education and assistant vice provost for enrollment management, and at Stanford University as an assistant dean of undergraduate admissions. Dr. Burns-Wallace began her career as a diplomat with the U.S. Department of State, serving tours in China, South Africa, and in Washington D.C. She was trained in French and Mandarin Chinese.
Service is a cornerstone of Dr. Burns-Wallace’s journey. She was elected to the Stanford University Board of Trustees in 2020, and she previously has held board roles in numerous local, regional, and national organizations including the College Board and Heart of Missouri United Way. She was recently elected as a life member to the prestigious Council on Foreign Relations. She is also a member of numerous organizations focused on service and philanthropic engagement including Alpha Kappa Alpha, Sorority Inc., Jack and Jill of America – Johnson County Chapter, and The Sister Circle.
Throughout her career, Dr. Burns-Wallace has been selected for numerous honors and awards, most recently as 2022 Kansas City CIO of the Year – Public Sector. Previous honors include the 2018 White House Champions of Change for College Opportunity and Superior and Meritorious Honor awards from the U.S. State Department.
Dr. Burns-Wallace’s depth of experience has made her a sought-after expert, keynote speaker, and national trainer on topics including diversity, equity, and inclusion; talent development; organizational behavior; operational effectiveness; strategic management; and authentic leadership.
Dr. Burns-Wallace holds a dual bachelor’s degree in international relations and African American studies from Stanford University, a Master in Public Affairs from Princeton University, and a doctorate in education from the University of Pennsylvania. She currently holds a faculty appointment at the University of Southern California.
The most important title to this Kansas City native is mom to her son, Xavier.