In September of 2018, Burns joined the Minnesota Orchestra as President and CEO. Under her leadership, the Orchestra launched a multi-year revenue growth plan to increase both contributed and earned revenue for the organization; unveiled a new leadership model for its long-running summer festival and moved quickly in the pandemic to launch This Is Minnesota Orchestra, a multi-channel series bringing the Orchestra to audiences via TV, livestream and radio that is still running today. In 2022 Burns negotiated a new agreement with Orchestra musicians that extends until 2026 and, following an extensive search, announced that Danish conductor Thomas Søndergård would become the Orchestra’s 11th music director beginning in September 2023.

Prior to her Minnesota post, Burns held multiple positions with the Dallas Symphony Orchestra, including Interim President and CEO; Executive Vice President for Institutional Advancement and Chief Operating Officer; and Vice President of Development.

Burns began her orchestral career in the administration of the Chicago Symphony Orchestra, where she held a number of positions over 15 years, including Director of Planned Giving.