Will Burns

Will Burns has committed his career to advancing public service, civic engagement, and policy innovation that directly benefits communities. He has consistently positioned himself at the center of conversations where government, advocacy, and equity intersect. With a focus on practical outcomes rather than public recognition, his work reflects a dedication to building stronger systems, fostering collaboration across diverse stakeholders, and ensuring that progressive initiatives translate into real, measurable impact for individuals and neighborhoods alike.

He most recently held dual leadership roles as 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 positions, he guided federal advocacy for charter schools and advanced public strategies to increase awareness and support for school choice. His work included leading efforts to secure continued funding, designing forward-looking advocacy campaigns, and building durable coalitions that strengthened the voice of the education reform movement at the national level.

Burns successfully protected $440 million in federal charter school funding across four federal appropriations cycles. He also shaped federal legislation impacting charter schools, navigating bipartisan challenges, and quiet resistance to achieve meaningful results. His leadership at the Charter Schools Action Fund enabled the allocation of more than $2 million to support pro-charter candidates and initiatives while implementing the first integrated federal political strategy for the charter school sector. In addition, he developed and managed a national training program that improved advocacy capacity in under-resourced states, equipping local leaders and grassroots advocates with the knowledge and tools needed for effective messaging and campaign preparedness.

Will Burns, Chicago, brought similar dedication to a previous role leading government partnerships for a micromobility company under Ford Smart Mobility. In this capacity, he secured long-term operating rights in over 30 municipalities, including major markets such as New York, Boston, and Washington, D.C. His efforts contributed to developing model ordinances that cities could adopt to safely and equitably integrate dockless mobility systems. By collaborating with city leaders and regulators, he helped ensure innovative transit solutions were implemented in ways that promoted sustainability, accessibility, and public safety.

He began his journey in public service as an elected representative of Illinois’s 26th District in the state legislature. Taking office during economic hardship, he quickly developed a reputation as someone who could build consensus and pass meaningful legislation. His record included championing protections for tenants in foreclosed properties, co-sponsoring the Civil Union Act to extend legal recognition to same-sex couples, and working on welfare reform initiatives to support survivors of domestic violence. These legislative efforts reflected his commitment to protecting vulnerable populations and addressing issues with compassion and pragmatism.

Burns later continued his public service as alderman for Chicago’s 4th Ward, guiding key redevelopment initiatives during the post-recession recovery period. He co-authored Chicago’s first minimum wage ordinance, negotiated affordable housing agreements in new development projects, and utilized zoning strategies to reimagine commercial corridors. He also oversaw repurposing a closed high school into an open-enrollment arts academy, preserving community identity while expanding educational opportunities. As chair of the City Council’s Education and Child Development Committee, he helped direct the city’s response to school closures and championed strategies to address educational inequities, including investments in critical infrastructure such as pedestrian bridges, bike lanes, and community recreation facilities.

He gained valuable early experience working on a congressional campaign and later in senior staff roles within the Illinois State Senate. In those roles, he contributed to issues including ethics reform, death penalty repeal, reentry policy, and school funding. He also held positions in civic organizations such as the Chicago Urban League, the Metropolitan Planning Council, and the Democratic Party of Illinois, further strengthening his understanding of how policy, advocacy, and politics intersect to shape communities.