Colette Pierce Burnette

Colette Pierce Burnette (born 1957) is an American educational administrator. Educated as an industrial engineer, Burnette later became interested in supporting students at historically black colleges and universities (HBCUs). After serving in several administrative positions at U.S. universities, she became the first female president of Huston–Tillotson University in 2015. In August 2022, Burnette was announced as the next president and CEO of Newfields in Indianapolis, Indiana. Only 15 months later, she left the position. In March 2025, Burnette was named CEO of Waterloo Greenway.

Early life and education Colette Pierce was born in 1957 in Cleveland, Ohio. Her father moved north from Mississippi during the Great Migration and had a sixth grade education, her mother finished high school and was a Cleveland native; both placed a high value on education. After graduating from Ohio State with a Bachelor of Science in engineering in 1980, she worked in several corporate and government jobs, including as a computer analyst at The Washington Post, an operations support engineer at Procter & Gamble, and in project management services at the Washington State Department of Transportation.

Burnette was inspired by visits to her husband's alma mater, Morehouse College, to switch careers and focus on developing the mission of HBCUs.

In 2021, the Austin Chamber of Commerce named Burnette the Austinite of the Year. She left the position fifteen months later, on November 10, 2023.

Personal life Burnette met her husband, retired Air Force Lt. Col. Daarel Burnette, in the 1980s; the family moved frequently within the U.S. as a result of his active military service. They have two children, Daarel Burnette II and Daana Burnette.