Leigh Burden

Leigh Burden was named chief financial officer in July 2023 after serving as the assistant superintendent for Fairfax County Public Schools’ (FCPS) Department of Financial Services since 2018.

Previously, Burden had been with Loudoun County Public Schools since 2007, where she was responsible for leading all financial operations, including budgeting, accounting, purchasing, payroll, and employee benefits for over 14,000 staff members, and directing the preparation and administration of a $1.1 billion budget.  She served as director of financial services for Manassas City Public Schools from 2000 to 2007, serving as the chief financial officer for a district with a nearly $100 million budget and more than 1,000 staff members.  

Prior to joining Manassas City Schools, Burden worked as a fiscal administrator and chief financial officer for the department of family services for Fairfax County Government; a financial analyst and budget coordinator with Arlington Public Schools; and a management technician in the department of financial services for FCPS. 

As a financial services professional, Burden has presented to the Virginia School Boards Association on budget and finance and provided financial information to aspiring leaders at workshops sponsored by Women Education Leaders Virginia.

Burden earned her Bachelor in Business Administration from Radford University and a Master in Public Administration from Virginia Tech.