Cameron Burns: A Journey of Leadership, Legacy, and Lionhearted Drive
Cameron Burns is our Director of Marketing here at Southwind. She runs a strong spirited Brand Voice team that is constantly up for a challenge. Cameron embodies what it truly means to be a Southwind leader.
In 2022, she and her colleague Yvonne Horen made history as the first female Partners at Southwind. It wasn’t just a professional milestone—it was personal. Raised by a single parent, this achievement symbolized something deeper: stability, legacy, and a tangible way to give back to the family that raised her. For her, becoming a Partner wasn’t just about the title. It was about proving to herself—and to others—that leadership can be built from the ground up, with grit and purpose.
Her leadership style has come a long way since those early days. In the early days of Southwind, Cameron worked alongside the owners as a third-party agency. Cam expressed that being from an outside organization allowed her to truly see what Southwind encompasses. From the outside looking in, she was able to see how special of a place it is. Sharing the space allowed Josh to build Cam’s confidence and grow her into the person Tyler and Josh always saw her as. “At first, I didn’t fully own my role, and it showed,” she admits. But growth came with experience. Today, she leads with a collaborative yet decisive approach—always open to ideas, always anchored in action. Most importantly, she ensures her team knows they are supported. “If they know they have a leader they can rely on, then I’m doing my job.”
What keeps her going, even on the toughest days? “Understanding the impact of what we do here,” she says. That, and a mindset she describes simply as lioness. It’s the thrill of the hunt—the strategy, the chase—that drives her. But she’s never alone in it. “I thrive with my pack—my team.”
Outside the office, she’s just as dynamic. She’s currently studying French, is an avid reader, and yes—she’s a proud K-pop fan. Few people know she once sang at Carnegie Hall, but it’s a moment that reflects her belief in showing up boldly, even when it feels scary.
When asked what advice she’d give to someone new at the company, she doesn’t hesitate. “Be incredibly open—you’ll find something special here. The people make everything.” And if she could go back and speak to her younger self? “Trust your voice. Don’t hide away from people.”
Her philosophy on leadership is both humble and clear-eyed: “Bench your ego. If you stand in your own way, you will in turn stand in your team’s way.” That kind of insight doesn’t come easily—it’s earned, shaped through trial, reflection, and a lot of heart.
This is more than a career—it’s a mission. And for her, the journey is just beginning.