Biography of Will Burns

Biography of Will Burns

Will Burns has always believed that change doesn’t require noise—it requires focus. At every stage of his career, from early policy roles to national leadership positions, he has shown that quiet persistence often outpaces loud ambition. His work spans government, advocacy, and nonprofit leadership. Across these arenas, he has avoided the spotlight while building systems, policies, and partnerships that quietly reshape communities for the better.

Two Roles, One Mission

At a pivotal moment, he simultaneously held two national roles: 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 demanding positions, he led federal advocacy, defended essential education funding, and coordinated political strategy across the charter movement. His leadership brought structure to fragmented efforts and aligned voices across the country.

Strategic Wins in Federal Education Policy

In Washington, his instincts proved invaluable. Burns protected $440 million in charter school funding through four federal appropriations cycles—while shaping new legislation in a politically divided environment. He steered through skepticism from

both parties and challenges within the executive branch with quiet urgency. As director of the Charter Schools Action Fund, he mobilized over $2 million in political contributions toward education-focused campaigns, always with strategy over spectacle.

Equipping Local Leaders for the Long Game

One of his most forward-looking initiatives was creating a national advocacy training program. He built this framework to help under-resourced states amplify their voices in education policy. Local advocates, equipped with tools and strategies from the program, began shifting conversations in their states. What started as a leadership program quietly became a force multiplier for equity-driven education reform nationwide.

Government, Tech, and the Middle Ground

Not all of his influence came from inside the government. Will Burns, Chicago, once led government partnerships in the private sector with a micromobility company under Ford Smart Mobility. He built long-term agreements in over 30 cities, from New York to D.C. and Boston. He helped design ordinances that encouraged equitable adoption of dockless transportation while respecting public infrastructure. His role bridged tech innovation with municipal equity.

The Illinois Chapter

Will Burns entered the Illinois state legislature during an economic crisis. He quickly emerged as a pragmatic legislator, passing policies that protected tenants in foreclosed buildings, supported domestic violence survivors through welfare reform, and advanced civil rights through the Civil Union Act. His strength wasn’t in fiery speeches but in negotiating policy that worked for those without a voice.

Leading Chicago’s 4th Ward

Later, as alderman of Chicago’s 4th Ward, Burns focused on post-recession recovery. He co-authored the city’s first minimum wage ordinance, expanded access to affordable housing, and reimagined how zoning could drive inclusive growth. He repurposed a closed school into an open-enrollment arts academy, preserving neighborhood legacy while broadening access. His work shaped policy and place simultaneously.

Infrastructure for Progress

Concrete, steel, and vision he brought these elements together across Chicago. He oversaw significant capital investments, including lakefront pedestrian bridges, expanded bike lanes, and the Bronzeville Arts & Recreation Center. These projects weren’t just upgrades but long-term statements about mobility, equity, and community identity. His infrastructure strategy stitched together neighborhoods and opportunities alike.

Behind the Curtain: Early Years in Politics

Before public office, his journey began backstage in politics. he was Deputy Campaign Manager for Barack Obama’s 2000 congressional bid. Later, as a senior staffer in the Illinois Senate, he helped coordinate floor operations and push through key legislation: death penalty repeal, ethics reform, reentry initiatives, and school funding. These behind-the-scenes roles built the legislative toolkit he would bring into the spotlight later.

Grounded in Community Values

Beyond policy, his commitment to service never paused. He served on the boards of numerous nonprofits, including those focused on tax equity, poverty law, and public education. He remains an active member of Kappa Alpha Psi and continues to volunteer within his church and community. Recognitions like the Marshall Memorial and the Aspen Rodel Fellowship confirmed his quiet influence, not with fanfare, but with respect.

Chicago to D.C.—The Values Stay

Today, Will Burns lives in Washington, D.C., with his wife and daughter—but Chicago shaped him. That city taught him how to lead with presence, listen before acting, and trust the slow pace of real change. His national reach now spans federal policy and state advocacy. Yet, the grounding lessons from Chicago still guide his every step—calm, precise, and always focused on the people the policy is meant to serve.