Burns played a key role in some of the most important foreign policy issues of the last four decades. These included the end of the Cold War, the reunification of Germany, the post-9/11 Global War on Terrorism, dealing with Russia under Vladimir Putin, and secret nuclear talks with Iran. These experiences prepared him for his next role in public service when he became director of the Central Intelligence Agency from 2021–2025. Burns was the first career diplomat to lead the agency. He is the recipient of numerous U.S. government awards, foreign decorations, and honorary degrees.
Burns has always been a strong advocate for diplomats. While president of the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace (2015-2021), he spoke out regularly and eloquently against threats to the career Foreign Service during the first Trump administration. He is also remembered in the Foreign Service as a valued mentor to hundreds of younger officers. During his tenure as under secretary of State for political affairs and Deputy Secretary of State, he met readily with AFSA presidents to discuss issues impacting the Foreign Service career. Most recently, he continued his advocacy with AFSA as spokesperson for its “Service Disrupted” campaign.
Burns currently serves as senior adviser for global affairs at Evercore. He earned a BA from LaSalle University and both an MA and a PhD from Oxford University, where he studied as a Marshall Scholar. Amb. Burns speaks Russian, Arabic, and French. Burns is the author of the bestselling book The Back Channel: A Memoir of American Diplomacy and the Case for its Renewal.
Ambassador Burns will be honored at the 2026 AFSA Awards Ceremony, which will be held this year on Wednesday, Oct. 14 at Georgetown University’s Lohrfink Auditorium. Please save the date!
