Robert Burns (North Carolina 1988)

Robert is an entrepreneurial leader with more than 25 years of experience in nonprofit management, community development, and state and local affairs. Robert currently serves as Senior Vice President in the Greater Washington market for Citi Community Development where he leads Citi’s commitment to achieving financial inclusion and economic empowerment for underserved individuals, families and communities. As the Greater Washington Market Manager, Robert oversees community development activities with nonprofit and public agencies across DC, Maryland and Virginia to expand access to financial products and services, create sustainable business solutions and build more inclusive cities to improve opportunity for all – including those in low and moderate income neighborhoods and communities of color.

Previously, Robert served as Executive Director for City First Enterprises and Homes, a CDFI and affordable housing organization in Washington DC. Robert also served as Director of Field Operations for NeighborWorks America in its Washington, DC headquarters where he supervised five regional offices across the country and provided resources, training and technical assistance to the NeighborWorks Network. He also helped create and led the local government solutions division for national non-profit, IBTS.

Robert served in city management and previously worked in local government in Missouri, Kansas, South Carolina and North Carolina. Robert is a 1988 Truman Scholar from North Carolina and remains active within the Truman Foundation and currently serves on the Advisory Council for the Foundation. He has served on the Board of Managers for the YMCA of Greater St. Louis, the Board of Directors for the North Area Cable Television Association in St. Louis, and the Board of Directors of the St. Louis Area Insurance Trust.

He serves as President of the Board of the Grounded Solutions Network, a national non-profit working to build strong communities from the ground up. He also serves as Vice President for the Alexandria Housing Corporation Board of Directors, board member with Capital Area Asset Builders and board member of the Virginia Community Development Corporation. For the past three years, Robert has taught community development and housing courses for Virginia Tech University.

Robert received his Masters of Public Administration from the University of Kansas and his Bachelors degree in Political Science from Appalachian State University.