Ursula Burns Biography & How She Made Her Money

Ursula Burns is an African-American businesswoman and philanthropist and she was born on September 20, 1958 in New York City, US.

Ursula Burns Facts

• Ursula Burns Net worth: $1.4 Billion (USD)
• Ursula Burns occupation: Senior Advisor, businesswoman.
• Ursula Burns Height: 5’11
• Ursula Burns is married* (her husband Lloyd Bean passed away in 2019)
• Ursula Burns has 2 children.

About Ursula Burns

Ursula Burns is a black billionaire businesswoman and philanthropist who served as the CEO and chairwoman of Xerox from 2009 to 2016. She was the first African-American woman to lead a Fortune 500 company, and the first woman to succeed another woman as head of a Fortune 500 company.

Burns was born in 1958 in New York City to Panamanian immigrants. She grew up in a housing project, and her mother worked multiple jobs to support the family.

Burns attended Cathedral High School, a Catholic all-girls school, where she excelled academically. She went on to earn a bachelor of science degree in mechanical engineering from Brooklyn Polytechnic Institute (now New York University Tandon School of Engineering) in 1980 and a master of science degree in mechanical engineering from Columbia University a year later.

Burns joined Xerox as a summer intern in 1980, and became a full-time employee after graduating from Columbia. She quickly rose through the ranks, holding a variety of positions in product development, planning, and manufacturing. In 1999, she was appointed vice president of global manufacturing, and in 2000, she was promoted to senior vice president of corporate strategic services. In 2007, she was named president of Xerox, and two years later, she was named CEO.

As CEO, Burns led Xerox through a period of significant change. She oversaw the company’s transformation from a traditional document technology company to a more diversified business focused on business services and digital technology. She also led the company through the global financial crisis and the subsequent economic recession.

Under Burns’ leadership, Xerox’s revenue increased from $18 billion in 2009 to $21 billion in 2015. The company’s stock price also increased significantly during her tenure. Burns was also recognized for her leadership and her commitment to diversity and inclusion.

She was named one of the most powerful women in the world by Forbes magazine multiple times, and she was also awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom by President Barack Obama.

Burns stepped down as CEO of Xerox in 2016, but she remained on the board of directors until 2017. She currently serves on the boards of directors of several other companies, including Uber, Diageo, and the New York City Ballet. She is also a senior advisor to Teneo, a global strategic advisory firm.

How Ursula Burns makes her money

Ursula Burns makes money in various ways. She is a senior advisor and non-executive chairwoman to Teneo, a global strategic advisory firm. She provides consulting services to Teneo’s clients, and she is compensated for her services.

• Board of directors fees: Burns serves on the boards of directors of several large companies, burns is a member of the Uber Technologies, Inc., Endeavor Group Holdings, Inc., and IHS Holdings Board of Directors. She is also a founding partner of Integrum Holdings, a private equity firm, Non-Executive Chairman of Teneo Holdings LLC, and the Executive Chairman of Plum Acquisition Corp I. In addition, Burns is on several private company boards, she receives a fee for each board meeting she attends, and she may also receive additional compensation, such as stock options.
• Speaking fees: Burns is a popular speaker on topics such as leadership, diversity, and inclusion. She is paid a fee for each speaking engagement.
• Book sales: Burns is the author of the book “Where You Are Is Not Who You Are: A Memoir” She receives royalties from the sale of her book.

Ursula Burns Facts & Achievements:

• First African American woman to serve as CEO of a Fortune 500 company
• First female to accede to the position of CEO of a Fortune 500 company in succession after another female
• CEO and chairman of Xerox Corporation from 2009 to 2016
• Transformed Xerox from a global leader in document technology to the world’s most diversified business services company serving enterprises and governments of all sizes
• Led Xerox through its largest acquisition in history, the $6.4 billion purchase of Affiliated Computer Services
• Successfully separated Xerox into two independent, publicly traded companies in 2016
• Chairman and CEO of VEON Ltd., a global telecommunications provider, from 2017 to 2020
• Member of the President’s Export Council from 2010 to 2016, chairing the committee in 2015-2016
• Served on the boards of numerous companies, including Exxon Mobil, Uber, and VEON
• Named one of the most influential women in the world by Forbes in 2015
• Appointed as a member of the Board of Trustees of the Ford Foundation
• Recipient of numerous awards and honors, including the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 2016

Ursula Burns Quotes

I want to stop transforming and just start being.

I’m a black lady from the Lower East Side of New York. Not a lot intimidates me.

Want to find out how Ursula Burns mind works? Read more of her inspiring quotes about life and business.

You can also check out some Ursula Burns videos, her books & pictures or you can enjoy reading about Robert F. Smith, another brilliant billionaire.