Embodying Spirit Leadership to Empower Youth & Transform Communities

The universe always has a way of bringing life full circle when we least expect it. I always talk about my “Harvard to Healing” journey and today’s episode affirms that this unique path was well supported by many. Barbara Best was the Executive Director for Harvard Kennedy School’s Center for Public Leadership which directly financed much of my tuition while I was a student at Harvard. In this conversation, we explore the nuances of elite education and why in this day and time we need Spirit Leadership to guide us as we navigate greater challenges in empowering our youth and create thriving communities.

About Our Guest:  

Barbara Best is a community organizer, youth advocate, and system change leader who is passionate about building systems of care to empower youth and communities to thrive. Drawing on experience as Executive Director of the Harvard Kennedy School Center for Public Leadership and leadership roles at the local, state, and national levels of the Children’s Defense Fund, Barbara empowers mission driven organizations and cross sector leaders to catalyze transformational change while advancing equity and sustainability. 

Barbara spent 13 years at the Children’s Defense Fund, rising from outreach coordinator to Texas Executive Director, opened offices in Houston and the Rio Grande Valley region along the Mexican border, and mobilized regional coordinators in ten Texas cities to restore health coverage to 176,000 uninsured Texas children. As Executive Director of the Harvard Kennedy School Center for Public Leadership, Barbara led the rapid expansion of public service fellowships from 51 to 118 graduate fellows over a five-year period, with 36% U.S. students of color and 32% international students from 29 countries.  

Barbara holds a Master in Public Administration from the Harvard Kennedy School and a bachelor’s degree from Duke University. Barbara is currently pursuing a Doctor of Education Leadership (Ed.L.D.) at the Harvard Graduate School of Education. 

Guest Info:  

LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/barbara-best-6131368/ 

Connect with Erin Patten:  

Website: themetabusiness.world 

Email: info@erinpatten.com 

Instagram: @iamerinpatten 

Podcast IG: @themetabusinessmillennialpodcast 

LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/iamerinpatten 

YouTube: youtube.com/@iamerinpatten