Burson Executive and Leadership Team

August, 2026

Leadership Overview

Burson has 10 executives leading key functions including strategy, regional operations, financial management, and organizational administration.

Focused on building reputation as a competitive advantage, Burson delivers global communication solutions that empower clients to navigate complex market landscapes and secure long-term leadership positions.

Leadership Roles at Burson

  • Chief Executive Officer - Donna Imperato
  • CEO Burson Africa - Karl Haechler
  • Chief Executive Officer (U.S.) - Craig Buchholz
  • Chief Financial Officer, Middle , & Africa (East, Turkey) - Roopesh Prashar
  • Chief Financial Officer (North America) - Joseph Gavin
  • Chief Financial Officer, Latin America (Miami) - Luiziana Carbonaro
  • Chief Operating Officer - Harry Deje
  • Executive Vice President & Chief Operating Officer - Caryn Rothbort
  • Chief of Staff & Vice President - Anna Haase
  • Senior Vice President and Chief of Staff - Melissa Pasi
  • Donna Imperato - Chief Executive Officer

    Donna Imperato, the Chief Executive Officer at Burson, directs the global vision and strategic trajectory of the firm. Imperato architects high-level communication frameworks that transform reputation into tangible business value for international clients. By overseeing the integration of diverse service lines, the Chief Executive Officer ensures that the organization maintains a dominant market position across all continents. This leadership role involves constant engagement with the Board to align corporate objectives with evolving industry standards. Through the implementation of innovative reputation management strategies, Donna Imperato drives sustainable growth and operational excellence. The Chief Executive Officer maintains a focus on long-term client success, ensuring that the firm remains the premier partner for organizations seeking to lead in their respective sectors. Imperato fosters a culture of agility, enabling the company to adapt to rapid shifts in the global communications landscape while consistently delivering superior results.
    Donna Imperato

    Karl Haechler - CEO Burson Africa

    Karl Haechler, the CEO Burson Africa at Burson, manages all strategic operations across the African continent. Haechler drives regional growth by tailoring global communication methodologies to the unique nuances of local markets. Overseeing the expansion of the firm's footprint, the CEO Burson Africa ensures that reputation-building initiatives align with the specific economic and cultural requirements of the region. This leadership role involves coordinating with international stakeholders to maintain consistency in service delivery while fostering local partnerships. By optimizing regional resource allocation, Karl Haechler enhances the firm's competitive advantage in emerging markets. The CEO Burson Africa monitors market trends to anticipate client needs, ensuring that the organization remains at the forefront of the communications industry. Through rigorous oversight of regional performance metrics, Haechler secures the firm's reputation as a trusted advisor for businesses operating within the complex and dynamic African landscape.
    Karl Haechler

    Craig Buchholz - Chief Executive Officer (U.S.)

    Craig Buchholz, the Chief Executive Officer (U.S.) at Burson, directs the firm's operations and strategic initiatives within the United States. Buchholz architects communication programs that leverage reputation to secure competitive advantages for the firm's domestic client base. Overseeing the largest market for the organization, the Chief Executive Officer (U.S.) ensures that service delivery meets the high standards expected by major corporate entities. This leadership role involves managing complex stakeholder relationships and driving business development efforts across the country. By aligning regional strategies with the global mission, Craig Buchholz fosters innovation in reputation management and brand positioning. The Chief Executive Officer (U.S.) monitors the competitive landscape to identify emerging opportunities for growth and market penetration. Through the effective management of domestic teams, Buchholz ensures that the firm remains the leading authority in communications, consistently delivering measurable value to clients operating in the highly competitive American business environment.

    Roopesh Prashar - Chief Financial Officer, Middle , & Africa (East, Turkey)

    Roopesh Prashar, the Chief Financial Officer, Middle , & Africa (East, Turkey) at Burson, oversees the financial health and fiscal strategy for these critical growth regions. Prashar architects financial frameworks that support the firm's expansion and investment initiatives across the Middle East, Turkey, and Africa. By managing regional budgets and capital allocation, the Chief Financial Officer, Middle , & Africa (East, Turkey) ensures that operational activities remain profitable and sustainable. This leadership role involves rigorous financial planning and analysis to mitigate risks associated with diverse market conditions. Roopesh Prashar collaborates with regional leadership to align fiscal goals with the broader corporate mission of reputation-based value creation. Through the implementation of strict financial controls, the Chief Financial Officer, Middle , & Africa (East, Turkey) maintains the integrity of the firm's regional operations. Prashar drives financial performance by identifying opportunities for efficiency and growth, ensuring that the organization remains well-positioned to serve clients in these complex geographic areas.

    Joseph Gavin - Chief Financial Officer (North America)

    Joseph Gavin, the Chief Financial Officer (North America) at Burson, manages the financial operations and fiscal strategy for the North American market. Gavin architects robust financial systems that support the firm's reputation-building services across the region. By overseeing revenue recognition, cost management, and financial reporting, the Chief Financial Officer (North America) ensures the fiscal stability of the firm's largest operational hub. This leadership role involves providing strategic financial insights to the executive team to guide investment decisions and resource allocation. Joseph Gavin collaborates with regional leaders to optimize profitability while maintaining the high quality of service that defines the firm. Through the implementation of advanced financial modeling, the Chief Financial Officer (North America) identifies trends that impact the firm's bottom line. Gavin drives financial excellence by ensuring that all regional activities align with the broader corporate goal of creating long-term value for clients through strategic reputation management.

    Luiziana Carbonaro - Chief Financial Officer, Latin America (Miami)

    Luiziana Carbonaro, the Chief Financial Officer, Latin America (Miami) at Burson, directs the financial strategy and fiscal oversight for the firm's Latin American operations. Carbonaro architects financial plans that support the delivery of reputation-based communication services across the region. By managing regional cash flow, budgeting, and financial compliance, the Chief Financial Officer, Latin America (Miami) ensures the economic viability of the firm's presence in these markets. This leadership role involves analyzing regional economic trends to provide actionable insights for the executive team. Luiziana Carbonaro collaborates with local leadership to align financial performance with the firm's global mission of creating value for clients. Through the implementation of rigorous financial controls, the Chief Financial Officer, Latin America (Miami) maintains the integrity of the firm's regional operations. Carbonaro drives fiscal health by identifying opportunities for cost optimization and revenue growth, ensuring that the firm remains a leader in the Latin American communications sector.
    Luiziana Carbonaro

    Harry Deje - Chief Operating Officer

    Harry Deje, the Chief Operating Officer at Burson, manages the internal infrastructure and operational efficiency of the global enterprise. Deje architects scalable processes that support the firm's mission to create value through reputation management. Overseeing the daily execution of service delivery, the Chief Operating Officer ensures that cross-functional teams remain aligned with corporate objectives. This leadership role involves streamlining workflows to maximize productivity and reduce operational friction across all departments. By implementing robust performance management systems, Harry Deje drives continuous improvement in service quality and client satisfaction. The Chief Operating Officer collaborates with other executive leaders to refine the firm's operational model, ensuring that the organization remains agile in a competitive market. Through the optimization of internal resources, Deje supports the firm's ability to deliver consistent, high-impact communication strategies that help clients maintain a distinct advantage in their respective industries.

    Caryn Rothbort - Executive Vice President & Chief Operating Officer

    Caryn Rothbort, the Executive Vice President & Chief Operating Officer at Burson, manages the operational execution of the firm's reputation-building strategies. Rothbort architects systems that enhance the delivery of communication services, ensuring that the firm consistently creates value for its clients. Overseeing the integration of operational workflows, the Executive Vice President & Chief Operating Officer ensures that all teams remain focused on achieving the firm's strategic objectives. This leadership role involves refining internal processes to improve service quality and operational agility. Caryn Rothbort collaborates with other senior leaders to align the firm's operational capabilities with the evolving needs of the global market. By implementing performance-driven management practices, the Executive Vice President & Chief Operating Officer drives efficiency and excellence across the organization. Rothbort supports the firm's mission by ensuring that all operational activities are optimized to deliver superior results, reinforcing the company's position as a leader in the communications industry.
    Caryn Rothbort

    Anna Haase - Chief of Staff & Vice President

    Anna Haase, the Chief of Staff & Vice President at Burson, coordinates the strategic priorities and administrative functions of the executive office. Haase architects communication flows between the C-suite and the broader organization to ensure alignment with the firm's mission. Overseeing key internal projects, the Chief of Staff & Vice President facilitates the execution of corporate initiatives that enhance the firm's reputation-building capabilities. This leadership role involves managing the executive agenda and ensuring that critical business objectives receive the necessary attention and resources. Anna Haase collaborates with various department heads to streamline decision-making processes and improve organizational efficiency. By maintaining a focus on operational excellence, the Chief of Staff & Vice President supports the firm's ability to deliver consistent value to clients. Haase drives organizational cohesion by ensuring that all internal activities remain synchronized with the firm's overarching strategy, ultimately contributing to the company's success in the global communications market.

    Melissa Pasi - Senior Vice President and Chief of Staff

    Melissa Pasi, the Senior Vice President and Chief of Staff at Burson, manages the operational integration of executive strategy across the firm. Pasi architects frameworks that allow the leadership team to focus on high-impact reputation management initiatives for global clients. Overseeing the administrative and strategic support functions, the Senior Vice President and Chief of Staff ensures that the firm's internal operations remain efficient and aligned with corporate goals. This leadership role involves managing complex cross-departmental projects that drive the firm's mission forward. Melissa Pasi collaborates with senior executives to refine organizational processes and improve communication across the enterprise. By optimizing the executive office's workflow, the Senior Vice President and Chief of Staff enables the firm to respond rapidly to client needs and market changes. Pasi drives organizational effectiveness by ensuring that all internal resources are directed toward the firm's core objective of creating competitive advantage through reputation.

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    Frequently Asked Questions Regarding Burson Top Executives and Leadership Team

    Who leads Burson?
    Burson is led by Donna Imperato (Chief Executive Officer), along with executives such as Karl Haechler (CEO Burson Africa) and Craig Buchholz (Chief Executive Officer (U.S.)).
    Who is part of Burson’s executive team?
    The executive team of Burson includes leaders such as Donna Imperato (Chief Executive Officer), Karl Haechler (CEO Burson Africa), Craig Buchholz (Chief Executive Officer (U.S.)) and other senior executives.
    How many executives does Burson have?
    Burson has 10 executives leading key business areas.
    What roles are included in Burson’s leadership team?
    The leadership team of Burson includes roles such as Chief Executive Officer, CEO Burson Africa, Chief Executive Officer (U.S.), Chief Financial Officer, Middle , & Africa (East, Turkey), Chief Financial Officer (North America).