The Collingwood Group, a Washington, D.C.-based business advisory firm, has named Meg Burns as managing director. Prior to joining The Collingwood Group, Burns was senior associate director for housing and regulatory policy at the Federal Housing Finance Agency.

In her new role, Burns will “leverage her considerable regulatory experience and housing policy expertise to promote the development and adoption of policies and initiatives that will help bring greater clarity and confidence to the housing finance industry,” The Collingwood Group said.

While at the FHFA, Burns administered policy and regulatory initiatives involving single-family and multifamily finance, credit loss mitigation strategies, housing markets, and housing mission responsibilities of Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac, and the 12 Federal Home Loan Banks.

Burns has also served as the FHFA’s senior associate director for congressional affairs and communications. In this role, Burns handled all external relations and communications with the press, the industry, and Congress.

Before joining the FHFA, Burns held various positions during 19 years at the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development.  Burns’ duties there included serving as director of the office of single-family program development for the Federal Housing Administration, where she oversaw origination policies related to the agency’s single-family programs.

“Meg is highly respected as one of the nation’s leading authorities on housing finance policy,” said Brian O’Reilly, president and co-founder of The Collingwood Group.

“In recent years, with the industry buffeted by extraordinary changes and challenges, she has become one of the foremost experts on the proper role of government regulation in addressing those challenges. Our clients will benefit greatly from her counsel as they navigate within the new industry environment that has emerged in recent years.”