Barb joined the YBI after eight years working in Congressman Tim Ryan’s office in the position of Economic Development Director. Prior to that, she was VP of Public Policy for the Youngstown Warren Regional Chamber, where she lobbied to bring state and federal funding back to the Mahoning Valley for community development projects. She is pleased to be teamed up again with Jim Cossler, who was her first boss at the Better Business Bureau (and who was still willing to hire her, in spite of having worked with her previously!).

Barb’s position at YBI builds on all of those professional experiences, as she works to secure funding to expand both the physical campus and operations of the organization, oversees daily operations and continues to build on the collaborative relationship YBI currently enjoys.

A Mahoning Valley native, Barb holds a Bachelor of Arts degree from Kent State University and a Master’s degree from Capella University.