Jasper Burns
I’m energized by learning, exploring, and creating.
With this one life, I want to fly planes, build companies, cook great meals, read great books, and be broadly capable.
I am a JD/MBA and Knight‑Hennessy Scholar at Stanford University.
Before that, I spent eight years in the Navy flying the EA‑18G Growler fighter jet (a variant of the F/A‑18 Super Hornet), as a social aide at the White House, and as a fellow at both McKinsey & Co. and the Institute for Law & AI.
I am a cross-functional technical operator. On deployment, I commanded strike packages of mixed fighter jets and ran a 43‑sailor division that took the squadron’s radar, electrical, and avionics systems from non-operational to mission-capable. As an undergraduate, I studied computer science; as a graduate student, I am leading multiplayer AI privacy research with a Stanford Engineering lab.
Library
Books I’ve read, synced from Goodreads.
Projects
Research, events, tools, and more.
design
I originated and designed the Seal of the White House Military Social Aide, which has now been incorporated into the program in perpetuity.
Visiten.wikipedia.orgevent
I ideated, originated, sourced, and co-chaired the Symposium on Law and AI (featuring OpenAI, Palantir, the Hoover Institution, xAI, and more) to discuss AI’s impact on freedom and the state.
Visitconferences.law.stanford.eduevent
I served as master of ceremonies for Stanford DEFCON, the largest student-run conference at Stanford, with over 850 in-person attendees and 1,200+ registrants.
Visitstanforddefcon.org
Philosophy
Business Philosophy
Get notified on Substack
Moral Philosophy
This series of essays explores how I envision living a good life.
ForewordNavigating FogWhy I’m building a moral map from scratch
Essay 1Nothing Matters Until Someone FeelsWithout someone to experience the world, nothing is better or worse
Essay 2The Senses Bring the World Into FeelingThe external world shapes how we feel, and so shapes the moral landscape
Essay 3The Mind Makes Its Own FeelingsA feeling that starts in the mind shapes your landscape of well-being as fully as one that starts in the senses
Community
Cohorts, clubs, groups, and organizations I feel connected to.
- Service to School
- Knight-Hennessy Scholars
- Threshold Venture Fellows
- White House Military Social Aide Program
- Electronic Attack Squadron 136 (The Gauntlets)
- StartX
- Breakthrough Ventures
- GSB Vets and Stanford Law Veterans
- Le Cordon Bleu
I have been working with Service to School since they first helped me apply to graduate school, and I became an ambassador as soon as I could.
For the last couple years, I have been the director of the JD program, and we need help. We are too low on ambassadors to fill the demand that we have.
Please, please, if you are an attorney, please sign up to become a JD ambassador, even if you’re not a vet!
Service to School
Director, JD Program · 2024–Present
I have been working with Service to School since they first helped me apply to graduate school, and I became an ambassador as soon as I could.
For the last couple years, I have been the director of the JD program, and we need help. We are too low on ambassadors to fill the demand that we have.
Please, please, if you are an attorney, please sign up to become a JD ambassador, even if you’re not a vet!
Knight-Hennessy Scholars
2024 Cohort · 2024–2027
Knight-Hennessy Scholars is a multidisciplinary, multicultural leadership program that funds graduate study at Stanford.
Threshold Venture Fellows
Stanford Tech Ventures Program · 2026–2027
Threshold Venture Fellows is a selective venture capital and entrepreneurship program in Stanford Engineering, open to twelve master’s students a year. I was a fellow in the 2026 cohort and am the teaching assistant for the 2027 cohort.
White House Military Social Aide Program
Social Aide · 2023–2024
Military Social Aides are the assistant hosts of the White House. At state events, the President’s annual meetings with the leaders of Congress and the federal judiciary, and other official functions, they handle protocol so each event runs smoothly and with the dignity the office deserves.
I escorted heads of state, Cabinet secretaries and other guests, and designed the Military Social Aide seal.
Electronic Attack Squadron 136 (The Gauntlets)
Aviator (NFO), EA-18G · 2018–2022
Electronic Attack Squadron 136 flies the EA-18G Growler, the electronic attack variant of the F/A-18F Super Hornet. As a division officer, I led 43 sailors across the avionics, electrical and ordnance branches. I was a Level 3 mission commander and deployed to the South China Sea.
StartX
StartX P26 Cohort · 2026
StartX is a Stanford-affiliated accelerator and founder community. It takes no equity and charges no fees. I was part of its P26 cohort.
Breakthrough Ventures
Breakthrough 2026 Cohort · 2026
Breakthrough Ventures backs young founders from all backgrounds. I was part of its 2026 cohort.
GSB Vets and Stanford Law Veterans
Member and Executive Board · 2024–Present
GSB Vets and the Stanford Law Veterans Organization bring together the veterans at Stanford’s business and law schools. I am a member of GSB Vets and served on the Stanford Law Veterans executive board.
Le Cordon Bleu
Intensive Basic Cuisine · Summer 2026
Le Cordon Bleu has taught French culinary technique in Paris since 1895. I earned its Intensive Basic Cuisine certificate there in the summer of 2026.