James Burns

James Burns is an experienced technology leader and entrepreneur with a diverse background in media, engineering, and economics. He currently serves as the Chief Technology Officer (CTO) at Recount Media, a political news media startup.1

Professional Experience

James has held several key positions throughout his career:

• CTO at Recount Media
• Senior Director of Engineering for Consumer Properties at BuzzFeed
• Director of Engineering for Video at BuzzFeed
• Co-founder and CTO of GoPop (acquired by BuzzFeed)
• Co-founder and Head of Engineering at Zeega

Educational Background

James Burns has an impressive academic background:

• Ph.D. and A.M. in Economics from Harvard University
• Bachelor of Science in Mathematics from Stanford University

Entrepreneurial Ventures

In addition to his role at Recount Media, James has been involved in several entrepreneurial endeavors:

• Co-founder of Upside Collaboration Co, a company focused on solving complex urban problems related to real estate, equity, and social impact1
• Co-founder of metaLAB at Harvard, an experimental research unit exploring the intersections of arts, media, and humanities12

Skills and Expertise

James is known for his expertise in:

• Engineering leadership
• Product strategy and development
• Team building and management
• Strategic planning and execution
• Mobile and web application development

Public Speaking

James has shared his insights at various tech conferences and film festivals, including SXSW, MozFest, the Tribeca Film Festival, and Hot Docs.

James Burns is recognized as a visionary leader in the tech and media industries, with a strong focus on innovative product development and fostering positive organizational culture through empathetic team leadership and sound engineering principles.