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M. Michele Burns

Director Since: October 2011 

Goldman Sachs Committees: Compensation (Chair), Risk, Governance
Other Current U.S.-listed Public Company Directorships: Anheuser-Busch InBev; Cisco Systems, Inc.; Etsy, Inc.
Other U.S.-listed Public Company Directorships within past 5 years: Wal-Mart Stores, Inc.; Alexion Pharmaceuticals, Inc. 

Key Experience and Qualifications

  • Leadership, governance and risk expertise: Leverages service on the boards of directors and board committees of other public companies and not-for-profit entities
  • Human capital management and strategic consulting: Background gained as former CEO of Mercer LLC
  • Accounting and the review and preparation of financial statements: Garnered expertise as former CFO of several global public companies

Career Highlights

  • Chief Executive Officer, Retirement Policy Center, sponsored by Marsh & McLennan Companies, Inc. (MMC); Retirement Policy Center focuses on retirement public policy issues (October 2011 – February 2014)
  • Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Mercer LLC, a subsidiary of MMC and a global leader in human resource consulting, outsourcing and investment services (September 2006 – early October 2011)
  • Chief Financial Officer, MMC, a global professional services and consulting firm (March 2006 – September 2006)
     
  • Chief Financial Officer, Chief Restructuring Officer and Executive Vice President, Mirant Corporation, an energy company (May 2004 – January 2006)
     
  • Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer, Delta Air Lines, Inc., an air carrier (including various other positions, 1999 – April 2004)
     
  • Senior Partner and Leader, Southern Regional Federal Tax Practice, Arthur Andersen LLP, an accounting firm (including various other positions, 1981 – 1999)

Other Professional Experience and Community Involvement

  • Center Fellow and Strategic Advisor, Stanford University Center on Longevity 
  • Board member and Treasurer, Elton John AIDS Foundation

Education

  • Graduate of University of Georgia (including for Masters)