COLLABORATION IS KEY FOR COMMISSIONER OF ADMINISTRATION
May 29, 2026
Longtime Band employee says returning to the Executive Branch “feels like coming home.”
By Vivian LaMoore, Inaajimowin Editor
Since stepping into the role of Commissioner of Administration earlier this year, Gilda Burr says the experience has been both exciting and challenging as she works to help guide multiple areas of Mille Lacs Band government during a time of transition.
Burr was sworn into office in early January and officially began serving as Commissioner of Administration on Jan. 26. Under Band statute, the role carries broad responsibilities, including serving as Chief of Staff, who may temporarily oversee areas where commissioner positions are vacant.
Currently, those vacancies include the Commissioner of Health and Human Services and Commissioner of Corporate Ventures positions. The position of Assistant Commissioner of Administration has been ratified and Tony Pike is scheduled to be sworn in by the end of May.
"I tell you, it has been a whirlwind," Burr said with a laugh. "It has been exciting, but also challenging and frustrating at times. I am trying to stay uplifting through all of it."
Despite the demands, Burr said she remains focused on supporting employees and helping maintain stability across the organization while key positions are filled.
Long workdays have become routine, often stretching into the evening hours as Burr balances meetings, budgets, personnel matters, strategic planning, and oversight responsibilities across multiple divisions.
Still, she said the work feels meaningful. "Working here has been so fulfilling for me," she said. "I really feel like this is where I was meant to be."
Burr's connection to the Mille Lacs Band government spans more than three decades. She first began working for the Band in 1993 in Housing before later working in Finance, Grants, Human Resources, and the Judicial Branch. She also attended Haskell Indian Nations University in Lawrence, Kansas, where she earned a two-year accounting degree. A bachelor's degree in organizational behavior from College of St. Scholastica.
Over the years, Burr said those experiences gave her a broad understanding of how different areas of government work together to serve Band members.
"It has been fun getting back into an area I am familiar with," she said. "Coming back to this area feels like home."
She reflected on one of her earlier positions with the Band. When Burr first began working in the Human Resources Department, the office consisted of just two employees. Wanting to improve and expand services, she brought ideas to then-Commissioner of Administration Sheldon Boyd, who encouraged her to take initiative and trusted her to follow those ideas through. With that support, Burr helped build the department into what it is today.
Looking back, Burr said that experience helped shape her own approach to leadership. Having a supervisor who listened, offered guidance, and allowed employees the space to grow showed her the importance of investing in people and empowering them to succeed. It is a philosophy she now hopes to carry forward and shape her own leadership philosophy as Commissioner of Administration
She emphasized the strongest organizations are built when supervisors and leadership trust their staff, listen to ideas, and support people in doing meaningful work."When employees feel heard and supported, it strengthens the entire organization," she said.
Much of her current work involves helping coordinate and support multiple departments and programs, including Human Resources, Grants, Information Systems, Government Affairs, Child Support, Aanjibimaadizing, Program Administration, and community centers. In the absence of commissioners in Health and Human Services and Corporate Ventures, Burr is also helping oversee those areas.
While the workload has been significant, Burr repeatedly emphasized that the work would not be possible without the support of the people around her.
She praised directors and executive directors throughout the organization for their dedication and leadership within their respective areas and said their experience and commitment have helped maintain continuity during a demanding time.
"The directors and executive directors have been tremendous," Burr said. "There are strong people already in place doing important work every day."
She also credited the Chief Executive's Office and administrative staff for helping support ongoing operations and communication between departments. "And Anna [Davis] has been a tremendous help," she added.
At home, Burr said her husband has also played an important role in helping her manage the increased workload by taking responsibilities off her plate outside of work. "I am fortunate to have the full support of my husband," she said. "I am so appreciative of him."
As she continues settling into the role, Burr said several major priorities are already underway, including modernization efforts involving the Administration Policy Board, strategic planning initiatives, budget work, employee evaluations, and continued review of self-governance operations.
She is also preparing to work closely with incoming Assistant Commissioner of Administration Tony Pike as responsibilities begin shifting into a more balanced structure.
"Tony is coming in at the right time," Burr said. "I am excited to get him involved."
Even with the challenges, Burr said the most rewarding part of the work comes from seeing the impact government services have across the Band community.
"This has been exciting," she said. "I have learned a lot."
As she reflects on her first 100 days as Commissioner of Administration, Burr said one thing has become especially clear: strong leadership depends on strong people working together from the top to the bottom, left to right.
While her title places her in a leadership role, Burr said the work being accomplished across Mille Lacs Band government is ultimately the result of dedicated employees, directors, and support systems working together every day to serve Band members and move the organization forward.