Former Interim Thunderbird President, Ambassador Barbara Barrett was honored by Valley Leadership, for her dedication and service to the community. Valley Leadership the largest and most established leadership development organization in the greater Phoenix metropolitan area for current leaders to connect, learn, lead and transform communities. It simply is for anyone with a passion for creating solutions for solving critical community issues. Valley Leadership has honored prestigious men and women dignitaries with this award since the past 63 years.
At Thunderbird, Ambassador Barrett served as the Interim President in 2012, during a time of transition between former president Ángel Cabrera and current president Larry Penley. Her aims were to boost the three key elements of students, jobs and donors, thus improving the overall ranking of the school.
Years of leadership with the Valley Leadership Class I team, along with her string of exceptional achievements led to Ambassador Barrett being awarded this honor. Ambassador Barrett is President and CEO of Triple Creek Guest Ranch, one of the top hotels in the world. In 2008-09, she served as the US Ambassador to Finland. She was also a candidate for Governor of Arizona.
We are proud and honored to been a part of exhilarating experiences under the guidance of Ambassador Barrett, from yesterday’s Mt. Graham International Observatory trip to a symposium with Retired Supreme Court Justice Sandra Day O’Connor.
Congratulations, Ambassador Barrett!