Will Burns

Will Burns has committed his career to advancing public service, civic engagement, and policy innovation that directly benefits communities. He has consistently positioned himself at the center of conversations where government, advocacy, and equity intersect. With a focus on practical outcomes rather than public recognition, his work reflects a dedication to building stronger systems, fostering collaboration across diverse stakeholders, and ensuring that progressive initiatives translate into real, measurable impact for individuals and neighborhoods alike. He most recently held dual leadership roles as Executive Vice President of National Advocacy for the National Alliance for Public Charter Schools and Executive Director of the Charter Schools Action Fund. In these positions, he guided federal advocacy for charter schools and advanced public strategies to increase awareness and support for school choice. His work included leading efforts to secure continued funding, designing forward-looking advocacy campaigns, and building durable coalitions that strengthened the voice of the education reform movement at the national level. Burns successfully protected $440 million in federal charter school funding across four federal appropriations cycles. He also shaped federal legislation impacting charter schools, navigating bipartisan challenges, and quiet resistance to achieve meaningful results. His leadership at the Charter Schools Action Fund enabled the allocation of more than $2 million to support pro-charter candidates and initiatives while implementing the first integrated federal political strategy for the charter school sector. In addition, he developed and managed a national training program that improved advocacy capacity in under-resourced states, equipping local leaders and grassroots advocates with the knowledge and tools needed for effective messaging and campaign preparedness.