Will Burns is a strategic communications and public affairs leader with nearly a decade of experience shaping high-profile narratives across government, politics, and the private sector. He specializes in reputation management, crisis communications, media relations, and policy communications at the intersection of technology, financial services, and public policy.

Prior to joining Tusk, Will led public affairs and policy communications at PayPal, where he served as a spokesperson and strategic advisor on issues including agentic commerce, consumer protection, digital payments innovation, and trust and safety. He partnered closely with policy, legal, regulatory, and product teams to drive communications strategies that protected and enhanced the company’s reputation among policymakers, media, trade associations, and advocacy groups.

Before PayPal, Will held senior communications roles in New York State government, including serving as Senior Deputy Communications Director to Governor Kathy Hochul and First Deputy Press Secretary to Governor Andrew Cuomo. In these positions, he managed communications for major policy initiatives, advised leadership during crisis situations, and helped shape public messaging on issues ranging from economic development to public health.

He earned a B.A. in Political Science from American University, with a concentration in Public Policy and a minor in Economics.