Children’s Wisconsin has named Harrison Burns its new Chief Strategy Officer. 

In this role, Burns will guide the organization’s long-term strategy, which includes identifying new opportunities to meet the evolving needs of children and families, advancing innovative and market-specific growth strategies, establishing and implementing new partnerships while solidifying existing ones, and strengthening the organization’s position as a national leader in pediatric health care. 

“Harrison brings exceptional insight and deep health care experience to our organization,” said Gil Peri, President and CEO at Children’s Wisconsin. “He has a proven track record in developing and implementing bold strategic plans, and he excels in solving complex problems with data-driven approaches. I know he will play a critical role in advancing our vision for making Wisconsin’s kids the healthiest in the nation.”

Burns is responsible for helping further strengthen the nationally recognized clinical programs of Children’s Wisconsin, deepening its commitment to community health and expanding access to care and services across the region. He will foster strategic partnerships at the local, regional and national levels to broaden the organization’s reach and impact. The Strategic Planning, Marketing and Communication functions report to Burns.

Burns joins Children’s Wisconsin from The Chartis Group, a national consulting firm that advises many of the country’s leading health care organizations, where he most recently served as a partner. During his time with The Chartis Group, he led or supported strategic planning engagements for more than 30 academic health systems, integrated delivery networks and children’s hospitals. 

“It’s a privilege to join Children’s Wisconsin, whose unwavering commitment to kids goes beyond treating illness to elevating health and well-being in every community we serve,” said Burns. “I’m honored to work with this remarkable team to build strategies that will strengthen that mission, advance new approaches in pediatric care and expand access for children and families across Wisconsin and beyond.”

Prior to his time with The Chartis Group, Harrison worked at Xcenda, a life sciences consulting firm, and Blue Cross Blue Shield. Throughout his career, he has authored numerous publications related to health care strategy and transformation, and he has been a frequent speaker at industry conferences and board retreats. 

Harrison earned his Master of Business Administration at Northwestern University, Kellogg School of Management, and his Bachelor of Science in Business Administration from the University of South Carolina.