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M. Michele Burns  

Fellow and Strategic Advisor on Longevity at The Stanford Center; Former CEO of Mercer

  1. Michele Burns serves as the Center Fellow and Strategic Advisor to the Stanford Center on Longevity at Stanford University. She is building the Financial Security Division of the center in Partnership with Marsh & McLennan Companies, Inc. Ms. Burns is the former Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Mercer, a global leader for HR and related financial advice and services, and a subsidiary of Marsh & McLennan Companies (MMC). She served as CEO from 2006 to 2011. Prior to being named Chairman and CEO of Mercer she held the position of Chief Financial Officer for MMC. From 2004 to 2006, Ms. Burns served as Chief Financial Officer, Chief Restructuring Officer, and Executive Vice President of Mirant Corp., where she was responsible for directing the company’s financial functions and investor relations. As Chief Restructuring Officer, she spearheaded the development of a new capital structure and plan of reorganization – two vital components in Mirant’s emergence from chapter 11. Previously, she was Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of Delta Air Lines, Inc. from 2000 to 2004. She held various other positions in the finance and tax department of Delta beginning in January 1999. Ms. Burns began her career with Arthur Andersen, and over the course of a successful 18-year tenure rose to Senior Partner, leading Andersen’s Southern Region Federal Tax Practice, headed its U.S. Healthcare Practice and its Southeastern Region Financial Services Practice, and served on its Global Advisory Council. Ms. Burns currently serves on the Board of Directors of Goldman Sachs Group, Inc. and Cisco Systems Inc. She chairs the Audit Committee for Goldman Sachs. Ms. Burns previously served on the Board of Directors of Wal-Mart Stores, Inc. from 2003 to 2013. During her tenure at Wal-Mart, she served on all three of the Board’s committees and chaired both the Compensation, Nominating and Governance Committee and Strategic Planning and Finance Committee. She also serves on the Board of Directors for the Elton John AIDS Foundation where she holds the title of Treasurer. Ms. Burns holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration and a Master’s Degree in Accounting from the University Georgia.

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