News Release

Town of Hilton Head Island Names Adriana Burnett as Its New Finance Director

April 1, 2024

The Town of Hilton Head Island is pleased to welcome Adriana Burnett as its new Finance Director. She brings over 30 years of experience in financial management with major companies, including the Walmart Corporation.

Burnett will play a pivotal role in planning, managing, and directing the Town’s financial operations in her new capacity. Additionally, she will take the lead in formulating strategies encompassing budgeting, investment, accounting, and financial reporting. She will provide essential leadership to the Finance Department and Town management.

Fluent in English and Spanish, Burnett has expertise in project management, fiscal accountability, governance and compliance, strategic planning and execution, and cross-functional team leadership. Her career has spanned several industries, including global retail, construction and real estate, banking, restaurants, and hospitality, showcasing her ability to adapt to and apply her expert knowledge to various business settings.

A senior-level global professional, Burnett comes to Hilton Head Island after seven years as the founder and chief executive officer of Emergent Business Consulting, LLC, in Bentonville, Arkansas. EBC is a consulting company that advises start-ups and large companies on strategy design and implementation, process improvement, and leadership development. She also provided extensive experience managing clients' businesses and teams while designing and developing new business practices and facilitating leadership development. Notable clients included Microsoft, Kum & Go, RootED NWA, Ananta Group, and other start-up ventures.

Previously, Burnett spent 13 years as a Senior Director for the Walmart Corporation. While with the large-scale global retailer, she led regulatory and legal reporting teams responsible for Walmart’s international tax compliance, including audits, tax credits, and incentives, team leadership, and development. She also created new controllership accounting teams to oversee over 1,500 global subsidiaries’ financials in 65 countries.

"After an exhaustive search, the Town is thrilled to hire someone with Adriana’s experience and knowledge as our Finance Director," said Town Manager Marc Orlando. "She brings a global financial perspective to Hilton Head Island. She has the real-world proficiencies to deal with our day-to-day needs while bringing a new perspective and creative ideas to help the Town thrive and enhance its fiscal planning and transparency."

Burnett holds a bachelor's degree in finance with a minor in international business from Florida International University and a master's degree in accounting with a minor in information systems from Middle Tennessee State University. Professionally, she has been actively involved in the Association of Latino Professionals for America, where she served as vice president of operations and vice president of membership, the Young Men's Service League, and the Worldwide Women’s Association.

"I am thrilled to embark on this new chapter of my career with the Town," Burnett said. "Having navigated diverse challenges throughout my tenure in the private sector, I am eager to contribute my insights and innovative solutions to the Town and a community as vibrant as Hilton Head Island."

In her personal time, Burnett enjoys spending time with her family, indulging in outdoor activities such as hiking, running, and gardening, and traveling the world to learn about different cultures.

Burnett's office will be at Town Hall, 1 Town Center Court. She can be contacted via email at AdrianaB@hiltonheadislandsc.gov.