Rick Burns
“I’ve always believed that the law should serve people, not power. The organizations we support are driven by mission and values, and it’s my job to help them meet the highest legal and ethical standards—not just because compliance is required, but because integrity is essential to real, lasting impact.”​​
I am a values-driven lawyer and former U.S. Senior Foreign Service executive with 20+ years of global experience in law, diplomacy, and ethical governance. I most recently served as a senior executive at one of USAID’s largest missions in the world and was chosen to lead the Agency’s mission in South Sudan before USAID was eliminated. Before that, I held senior legal roles across the developing world, providing legal and strategic leadership in complex, high-risk environments. Throughout my career, I have advised on complex legal, compliance, ethics, and employment matters. I have structured multi-million-dollar grants, contracts, and loan guarantee agreements with governments, NGOs, foundations, and private sector partners across Africa.
Earlier in my career, I served as Assistant General Counsel for Asia at the U.S. Trade and Development Agency and as an associate at a leading international trade law firm. I served as an adjunct professor at The George Washington University Law School, guest lectured at law schools across Africa during overseas assignments, and began my international career teaching at a university in China as a Peace Corps Volunteer.
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J.D. with honors, M.A. in International Affairs | George Washington University
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B.A. | Lafayette College
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Licensed in Washington, D.C.
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Languages: English, advanced Portuguese, intermediate Chinese