Brian Burnett, Ph.D., is the Executive Vice President for Finance and CFO. He leads CWRU units crucial to the education and research missions of the university. Brian served in similar roles with the University of Alabama at Birmingham (2021-2025), The University of Minnesota (2016-2020), The University of Missouri (2014-2016) and the University of Colorado (2003-2014). He was named a 2020 CFO of the Year by the Minneapolis/St. Paul Business Journal. He has more than 35 years of public service in multiple states and has served in a number of key leadership roles in higher education and state government.
Brian holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in economics from the University of Colorado, Boulder, a Master’s degree in finance from the University of Colorado, Denver, and a doctorate in educational leadership, research and policy from the University of Colorado, Colorado Springs.
Brian and his wife Marilyn have two adult children, a son Derrick and daughter Tori. Brian’s personal interests include cycling, spinning, Alpine skiing, pickleball, scuba diving, and travel.