Burns is the Measurement, Learning and Evaluation Manager. Previously, she served as the Director of Catholic Charities for the Diocese of Evansville, Indiana. She also held leadership roles in two national professional associations in the financial counseling and financial information fields. 

Burns received her Ph.D. in Consumer and Family Economics at Purdue University. She has served on the faculties of Purdue, Ohio State University and Eastern Illinois University. She also holds a CPA license (inactive) in Ohio.