Barbara has over 25 years of marketing and advertising experience including building sustainable brands, creating effective marketing communication programs, and optimizing organizational effectiveness.

Most recently, Barbara led Ford Partners LLC, a marketing consultancy that helps businesses grow through insight-driven understanding of consumers/customers and brands. She was also an SVP at AMG Strategic Advisors and a Principal at Griffin Strategic Advisors where she led the Marketing Strategy practices.  Additional experience includes leading Marketing Services for SC Johnson, VP Global Advertising Resources for Kraft Foods, and advertising roles with DDB and D’Arcy MacManus & Masius.  

Barbara has also served as an Adjunct professor at Kellogg Graduate School of Management, Medill/Northwestern University and U Chicago Graham School. She most recently served as Lecturer International Business & Markets Program at Kellogg School of Management, and currently serves on the Board of Directors of Communities in Schools of Chicago and the Leadership Council of the Civic Consulting Alliance. Barbara earned an MBA from Loyola University of Chicago and a BA in Journalism from Drake University.