her in a pool of candidates to be developed and groomed for more responsibility. It was a major turning point in Burns’ career. At Xerox,
the thing they call “diversity” really means “opportunity plus hard work,” Burns says. She seized the opportunity she was given. In 2000, she was named senior vice president and over
the next two years became president of two different busi- ness divisions. When she was named president of Xerox in 2007 it was clear she was going to inherit the CEO title. Her professional development has been unique, says
Vera Sullivan, who has placed executives for over 30 years. Most professionals change jobs to increase compensation, responsibility, or prominence to build reputations. Burns did something entirely different. “She’s an African American woman, who became an
engineer when it was incredibly rare for someone like her to do so, who has remained with the same company as a lifer and has gone from an internship to CEO. I wonder if she is the only person in the United States who has done that,” Sullivan says. “I wonder if she’s as unique—and I believe she is—as Hillary Clinton, whose career has been unique and original and special.”
A NATURAL PLAYER Tere is an iconic pedigree in American business and it does not look like Ursula Burns. MCCA’s first Lifetime Achievement Award recipient helped Burns understand the gravity of her persona. “Vernon Jordan is one of the people who helped educate me on this responsibility: that I actually stand as an icon of hope for other people. For African American women for sure, for African Americans for sure, for women in general, for anyone who doesn’t have the normal look and feel for whatever they are trying to get into,” she says. Xerox General Counsel Don Liu believes Burns is a per-
fect model for diversity programs. She is able to be who she is and it trickles down throughout the company. “We can be who we are and feel comfortable that others will accept us, or each of us, in our own different way. Tat’s where a diversity program should be, and I think she symbolizes what a diversity program should produce,” he says. Burns never adjusted her style. “One of the most important things that I do, now more
consciously than I did before, is to represent myself natu- rally, not to try to fit too much into a space that somebody would define as traditional,” Burns says.
WATKINS & EAGER Saluting Diversity in the Law
Attorneys and Counselors at Law WATKINS & EAGER
Congratulates
Walter T. Johnson for his selection as a
2013 Diversity & the Bar Rainmaker
Walter is an exceptional trial lawyer who has tried numerous complex cases in difficult venues to successful verdicts. We are proud to have him as a long-standing member of our firm.
Watkins & Eager PLLC • The Emporium Building • 400 East Capitol Street • Jackson, MS 39201 Telephone: (601) 965-1900 •
www.watkinseager.com
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