Dr. Steven S. Burns is a Founder and Director of the Foundation for Resilient Infrastructure & Freedom (RIF) and one of the United States’ foremost experts on energy security, critical infrastructure resilience, and institutional reform. He has more than 25 years of experience, spanning multiple senior roles in the private sector and U.S. Government. He served as Director for Energy Security at the National Security Council (NSC) and Chief of Energy & Infrastructure at USAID, where he designed and managed major foreign assistance programs across Europe and Eurasia. 

At USAID, Dr. Burns directed $650M+ in programs and launched the Agency’s first critical infrastructure cybersecurity initiative, expanding it into a $140M multinational effort. His work has mobilized tens of billions in infrastructure investment and reinforced stability in regions facing acute geopolitical and cyber threats. 

Dr. Burns guides the Foundation’s mission to help allied and emerging democracies build secure, modern, and sovereign infrastructure systems capable of withstanding both physical and cyber threats. 

Dr. Burns is a licensed professional engineer and holds a Ph.D. in Engineering Management from George Washington University. 

Paul S. Stack is a Co-Founder and Director of the Foundation for Resilient Infrastructure & Freedom (RIF) and a leading practitioner in energy policy, critical infrastructure cybersecurity, and crisis response. Paul has directed high-impact regional initiatives as Head of USAID’s Critical Infrastructure Unit, where he led over $200M in energy and cyber programs across Eastern Europe.

Following Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine, Paul earned multiple federal awards, including the U.S. Department of State Meritorious Honor Award, for leading multiple response efforts in Eastern Europe. Prior to his U.S. Government service, Paul drove energy regulatory reform and cybersecurity programs at NARUC, shaping first-of-their-kind policies across partner nations through their international programs.

At RIF, he advances the Foundation’s mission to build secure, sovereign, and modern infrastructure systems in emerging and frontline democracies, integrating policy, technology, and institutional capacity to protect essential services.

Paul holds a Master’s Degree in International Affairs and Economics in Energy, Resources, and Environment from Johns Hopkins University’s School of Advanced International Studies (SAIS).