Darren Burns is the Chief Innovation Officer at Morristown Beard School.

A New Jersey native, Darren attended Tulane University, where he earned a B.A. in English Literature with a minor in Education. He went on to receive a Master’s Degree in Applied Psychology from New York University.

Darren joined the Morristown Beard School community in 1998 and has served in a variety of leadership roles. He began as the Middle School Guidance Counselor before becoming Dean of Students. He later served as Head of the Middle School for ten years, followed by nine years as Head of the Upper School, and until most recently as Associate Head of School.

In his current role as Chief Innovation Officer, Darren oversees programming that ensures the MBS experience remains relevant, inspiring, and future-focused. His areas of responsibility include the Center for Innovation & Design, the Interdisciplinary Concentration Program, The Technology department,  sustainability initiatives, and guiding the School’s strategic plan and artificial intelligence integration.

Throughout his tenure, Darren continues to teach in the Design Arts Department and has coached Basketball and Tennis. Deeply committed to all things Crimson, Darren has witnessed—and helped guide—the School’s evolution while remaining grounded in what makes MBS exceptional: the strength of its community. Both of his children have attended Morristown Beard.

Beyond campus, Darren has served for the past twenty years on the board of Pillar Care Continuum, and most recently serves on the board of Link Community School in Newark.  He is an avid tennis, paddle and golf enthusiast and enjoys spending time with his wife, family, friends, and three yellow Labrador Retrievers.