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Stacey Ryan Cornelius Named Global CFO of Burson

CFO

Business Honor
11 July, 2025

With decades of expertise, Cornelius strengthens Burson’s vision, value, and financial future.

Burson, the international public relations and communications agency, has selected Stacey Ryan Cornelius as its new Global Chief Financial Officer (CFO). Stacey has more than 30 years of financial experience, with extensive knowledge of the entertainment, media, and communications sectors.

Before joining Burson, Cornelius was the Global CFO of Ogilvy for over four years. She posted the news of her new position on LinkedIn and stated, "I answer the call to join Burson, the powerhouse in public relations and communications, as their Global CFO, effective this week." She expressed her eagerness to be join the firm at a time when it is celebrating one year since it merged with Hill & Knowlton.

Cornelius liked Burson's Earned Reputation Strategy and its emphasis on technology to provide higher-value client services. She also liked the introduction of Reputation Capital, an advanced AI-based platform that assists clients in understanding how reputation influences results such as stock prices, sales, and customer intent.

Stacey spent most of her working years at WPP, beginning in 1999 at Ogilvy & Mather, where she served in many significant financial leadership positions. She subsequently held the position of Global CFO of WPP Health & Wellness, presiding over 64 business units across several regions, and assisted with driving strategic transformation initiatives. She also held positions as Global CFO and COO at Geometry Global, where she spearheaded a significant transformation that led to the company being relaunched as VMLY&R Commerce in 2020.

Looking back on her Ogilvy tenure, she stated, "My legacy and contribution to Ogilvy's business and culture is one of the highlights of my career." Stacey began her career at PwC, where she worked on audits and large transactions for clients around the world. With her deep leadership experience, strategic acumen, and vision, Cornelius will be instrumental in leading Burson's growth and financial direction.