DeAngela Burns-Wallace, Ed.D.

Dr. DeAngela Burns-Wallace is president and chief executive officer of the Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation, a private, nonpartisan foundation that provides access to opportunities that help people achieve financial stability, upward mobility, and economic prosperity – regardless of race, gender, or geography.

Working across the public service, academic, and philanthropic sectors, Dr. Burns-Wallace caries a career commitment to enriching and strengthening equitable economic mobility for all. With Ewing Kauffman’s vision serving as the centerpiece for the Kauffman Foundation, Dr. Burns-Wallace guided a comprehensive community engagement process to renew the foundation’s focus on college access and completion, workforce and career development, and entrepreneurship. The strategic refresh solidified the foundation’s enduring bond with Kansas City and introduced a contemporary grantmaking philosophy and pathways for funding.

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. In 2024 she was induced into the Kansas African American Museum’s Trailblazers Hall of Fame, honoring pioneers who have helped shape the Kansas African American experience. In 2022 she was named 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 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.

While her career has taken Dr. Burns-Wallace around the world, she has never been far from the neighborhoods of Kansas City where she was raised and drew inspiration for leading a life of service. DeAngela’s most important title is mom to her son, Xavier.