Maura Burns

Maura Burns has led one of the most complex enterprises in the world. As COO of the Central Intelligence Agency, Burns led strategic initiatives that modernized infrastructure, strengthened governance, and improved organizational agility. She also drove the adoption of advanced capabilities including artificial intelligence, next-generation cybersecurity, and sophisticated technical collection systems through partnerships with the private sector. She offers insight into national security priorities, nuclear energy, space systems, emerging technologies, and large-scale systems change.  

Exclusively represented by Leading Authorities speakers bureau, Burns brings to audiences a sharp approach to innovation rooted in real-world execution through her extensive experience. Her insights are especially relevant to organizations navigating digital transformation under high regulatory, security, or operational pressure. In addition, Maura’s distinguished service has been recognized with some of the nation’s highest honors, including two Presidential Rank Awards, the Distinguished Intelligence Medal, the Director’s Award for Distinguished Service, and the Distinguished Career Intelligence Medal.  

Maura’s career reflects three decades of deep expertise in nuclear energy and weapons systems, space and counterspace security, and biosecurity threats. As Director of the Weapons and Counter-Proliferation Mission Center, she led more than 500 engineers, analysts, scientists, and operators in developing and implementing technical strategies to address emerging threats across the nuclear fuel cycle, space systems, and other advanced weapons domains. In this role, she strengthened global partnerships, aligning U.S. and international efforts to safeguard critical technologies while advancing scientific and operational collaboration. 

Her leadership philosophy is rooted in transparency, collaboration, and talent development. She is a champion of workforce transformation, succession planning, and STEM recruitment, with a strong commitment to developing the next generation of executives in highly technical fields. Her approach emphasizes building resilient teams capable of operating effectively in complex, high-stakes environments. 

Throughout her career, Maura has served as a trusted advisor to senior leaders and policymakers, guiding complex resource decisions, shaping interagency and international collaboration, and navigating organizational change at enterprise scale. Her ability to balance deep technical expertise with operational excellence has made her a recognized leader in both national security and global technology strategy. 

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