Chris Burnley

Chris Burnley brings more than two decades of executive leadership experience in higher education finance and administration, with a proven track record of strengthening institutional performance and advancing long-term sustainability. He has served a wide range of institutions—from the nation’s only student-managed Work College to a doctoral-granting university—holding roles such as Vice President for Finance and Administration, Interim Vice President for Enrollment Management, Interim Chief Executive Officer, and Controller.

Before transitioning into higher education, Chris held management and executive positions across diverse corporate sectors, including retail, information technology, and nuclear services. This cross-industry background enables him to apply entrepreneurial thinking, strategic planning, and a continuous improvement mindset to complex higher education challenges.

Chris is widely recognized for his ability to translate complex financial data into clear, actionable insights for boards of trustees, executive leadership teams, faculty, and staff. He has helped institutions successfully overcome significant operating deficits, balancing the need for fiscal responsibility with a strong emphasis on strategic, long-range planning and programmatic investments that deliver measurable returns. His leadership has directly and consistently supported significant revenue growth, including driving first-year enrollment revenue increases of 70% withing two years.

Chris’ greatest skill is his ability to assemble top-performing teams to address the organization’s greatest challenges and maximize potential opportunities. He has been blessed with many such teams, including the team at Kairos Higher Ed Partners. Together, they help institutions realize their potential.

In addition to his institutional leadership roles, Chris serves as a consultant for NACUBO, is a member of The Registry, and in 2024 founded Kairos Higher Ed Partners, a firm dedicated to providing financial, enrollment, and operational support to higher education institutions.