Sylvia Mathews Burwell Profile Photo

Sylvia Mathews Burwell

WSB Exclusive Speaker

U.S. Secretary of Health and Human Services (2014–2017); Director, Office of Management and Budget (2013–2014)

A visionary leader in both the public and private sectors, Sylvia Mathews Burwell provides powerful insights on health care, leadership, and a wide range of pivotal issues that impact the lives of individuals in the U.S. and around the globe.

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Sylvia Mathews Burwell Profile Photo

A proven leader with a record of cultivating innovation and delivering results, Sylvia Mathews Burwell has led government departments in both the Clinton and Obama Administrations as well as powerful international nonprofit organizations. As president of the Walmart Foundation and president of the Global Development Program at the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, she focused on issues ranging from global health and hunger to agricultural expansion in developing nations. When President Obama nominated Burwell as director of the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) in 2013, she was confirmed unanimously by the Senate. In this role, she worked closely with a divided Congress to negotiate a two-year budget deal following the government shutdown of 2013, deftly navigating the complexities of a process that has real-world impacts for Americans.

In 2014, the Senate confirmed Burwell by a wide margin as Secretary of Health and Human Services, proving, according to Republican Senator Richard Burr, if you “put talented people into nomination, it doesn’t matter whether you’re Republican or Democrat. People acknowledge the talent.” Entering office during the height of the debate surrounding the Affordable Care Act (ACA), she confronted the political, technical, and bureaucratic challenges of the ACA while leading the strategy to circumvent the dual global health crises of the Ebola and Zika virus outbreaks.

In 2017, Burwell was named the first female president of American University. She also serves on the National Advisory Council of the Aspen Institute’s Future of Work Initiative. With three decades of strong leadership directing programs that have had significant impact on the lives of individuals, she provides audiences with informed expertise and compelling analysis of issues ranging from health care and the federal budget to global development and philanthropy.

Featured Videos

Sylvia Mathews Burwell Profile Photo
Sylvia Mathews Burwell

Sylvia Mathews Burwell on Potential Healthcare Impacts of Trump Budget Cuts

Sylvia Mathews Burwell Profile Photo
Sylvia Mathews Burwell

The Health Care Conversation We Should Be Having – Marketing of ACA

Sylvia Mathews Burwell Profile Photo
Sylvia Mathews Burwell

The Health Care Conversation We Should Be Having – Speed for Service

Sylvia Mathews Burwell Profile Photo
Sylvia Mathews Burwell

DealBook 2016:The Future of Health Care Part 2 – If Trump Were To Call You

Sylvia Mathews Burwell Profile Photo
Sylvia Mathews Burwell

Sylvia Mathews Burwell Announced as American University’s 15th President

Sylvia Mathews Burwell’s Speech Topics

  • Health-Care Reform: Rhetoric vs. Reality

    As the leader of the Department of Health and Human Services during the height of the debate surrounding the Affordable Care Act (ACA), Sylvia Mathews Burwell provides a deep understanding and analysis of the pressing health-care issues that affect every American. In this crucial discussion, Burwell cuts through the rhetoric to share with audiences:

    • How coverage and costs may be affected by current plans to repeal and/or replace the ACA
    • What businesses and organizations of every size need to know to prepare for the future of health care, particularly regarding delivery system reform and the potential for increased affordability
    • How the U.S. and global economy may react to disruptions caused by the health-care reform process
  • Budget and Leadership

    As director of the Office of Management and Budget under President Obama and deputy OMB director under President Clinton, Sylvia Mathews Burwell was a widely respected bipartisan leader. She worked closely with a divided Congress to negotiate a two-year budget deal following the government shutdown of 2013 and navigate the complexities of a process that has real-world impacts for Americans. In this informative presentation, she shares with audiences:

    • An in-depth view into the federal budgeting process, and how the decisions made in Washington affect the lives—and budgets—of everyday businesses and individuals
    • An analysis of the role of the executive branch in creating and executing the federal budget, and how this process may play out under the current Administration and Congress
  • Moderated Q&A: A Leadership Conversation with Sylvia Mathews Burwell

    With a distinguished career both in federal government and at globally recognized nonprofits, Sylvia Mathews Burwell understands what organizations need to do to thrive at every level, and how to cultivate the right talent to ensure accountability and progress. In this customizable conversation, she will share: 

    • Her personal leadership philosophy, focusing on measurable outcomes, prioritization, and relationships
    • How to effectively nurture the leaders of tomorrow
    • Insights from her own experiences in running a federal agency and leading international organizations

What other organizations say about Sylvia Mathews Burwell

Sylvia was wonderful! We were really happy with her remarks and her presence. Our audience agreed as well as noted in survey responses. Thanks for everything.

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What other organizations say about Sylvia Mathews Burwell

Our audience really appreciated Sylvia’s comments, and her perspective was a nice balance to the event’s other speakers. She was extremely professional and engaged.

Business Consulting

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