Date of Birth: September 20, 1958
Zodiac Sign: Virgo
Biography
Ursula Burns is a pioneering American businesswoman celebrated for her remarkable career at Xerox Corporation, where she broke barriers as the first African American woman to lead a Fortune 500 company. Born and raised in New York City’s Lower East Side, Burns has a compelling story of perseverance and triumph over adversity. Burns joined Xerox as a summer intern in 1980 and quickly rose through the ranks. Her technical expertise and leadership skills earned her several key roles within the company. In 2009, she was appointed CEO, a position she held until 2016. During her tenure, she successfully transformed Xerox from a traditional document company into a diversified business services and technology enterprise. In addition to her work at Xerox, Burns has served on various boards, including those of Uber, VEON, and ExxonMobil. She is also known for her advocacy of STEM education and her efforts to promote diversity and inclusion in the corporate world.
5 Interesting Facts about Ursula Burns
1. Ursula Burns was the first African American woman to become the CEO of a Fortune 500 company.
2. She grew up in a housing project on Manhattan’s Lower East Side and was raised by a single mother.
3. She holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Mechanical Engineering from Polytechnic Institute of New York University and a Master of Science in Mechanical Engineering from Columbia University.
4. Burns was featured on Forbes’ list of the world’s most powerful women multiple times.
5. In 2018, she was appointed as the chairwoman of VEON, a multinational telecommunications company.
5 Most Interesting Quotes from Ursula Burns
1. “The world doesn’t expect much from you as a woman or as a black person. So you have to really deliver.”
2. “Where you are is not who you are. You are the person you decide to be.”
3. “Dreams do come true, but not without the help of others, a good education, a strong work ethic, and the courage to lean in.”
4. “Believe that there are no limitations, no barriers to your success — you will be empowered and you will achieve.”
5. “I realized I was more convincing to myself and others when I said, ‘I don’t know’ or ‘I need help’ than when I pretended to know everything.”
Highest Net Worth Achieved
Ursula Burns’ highest net worth has been estimated to be around $1.5 million.
Children
Ursula Burns has two children: a daughter named Melissa Burns and a son named Malcolm Burns.
Relevant Links
1. [Ursula Burns – Wikipedia](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ursula_Burns
2. [Ursula Burns on Forbes](https://www.forbes.com/profile/ursula-burns/
3. [Ursula Burns Biography on Biography.com](https://www.biography.com/business-figure/ursula-burns
5. [Ursula Burns’ TED Talk](https://www.ted.com/speakers/ursula_burns
