The Walton Family Foundation of Bentonville said Wednesday that Robert Burns will be the director of the Home Region Program, overseeing the nonprofit’s efforts in northwest Arkansas and the Arkansas-Mississippi Delta.
Burns has more than 25 years of experience in workforce housing, philanthropy, community development and governmental affairs. Most recently, he worked for Citibank of New York as a senior vice president and market manager for the greater Washington, D.C., and Boston area. There, he led efforts to promote financial inclusion and economic empowerment, the nonprofit said in a news release.
“Over the next five years, the Walton Family Foundation will work steadily and boldly toward long-term change that unlocks opportunity for every person in Northwest Arkansas and the Delta,” said Tom Walton, the organization’s Home Region Program chair.
“Robert’s background as a proven leader in community relations, cross-sector collaboration and social impact will provide a new perspective that encourages our partners and us to embrace innovative, community-driven solutions to the unique needs of these regions.”
The foundation said that Burns has experiencing working with nonprofits and public agencies to build more inclusive cities. From 2014 to 2017, he was executive director of City First Enterprises of Washington, D.C, a Community Development Financial Institution. He also worked in local government in four states, including Kansas and Missouri.
“Building diverse, inclusive and equitable communities requires commitment, innovation and collaboration,” Burns said. “I look forward to working with, and learning from, local partners to help ensure everyone in Northwest Arkansas and the Delta has access to all the opportunities these communities have to offer.”
Burns will move to northwest Arkansas later this year. He comes to the foundation after the departure of longtime home region director Karen Minkel, who resigned in April to “reflect and explore several possibilities.” Minkel had led home region efforts since 2015.
The Walton Family Foundation is led by members of the family who founded and lead Walmart Inc. of Bentonville. It focuses on K-12 education; rivers and oceans; and northwest Arkansas and the Arkansas-Mississippi Delta.
