Sylvia Mathews Burwell is the 15th president of American University in Washington, DC, and the first woman to lead the institution. A lifelong changemaker, she advances the university’s mission to foster knowledge and empower lives of purpose, service, and leadership. Burwell previously served as Secretary of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (2014-2017) and the Director of the Office of Management and Budget (2013-2014), and held leadership positions at two of the world’s largest foundations, addressing issues of global health, women’s empowerment, and economic development.
