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About Us
Research Ranch Advisory Team

Barbara Shaw-Snyder's professional roles have been directed toward leading innovative approaches for improving basic conditions in communities, and she has been responsible for building new projects and departments since 1988. Barbara began her career in the 'front-line' of human service delivery and through her professional achievements advanced to more responsible positions culminating in 2000, when Mrs. Lattie Coor (wife of then Arizona State University President, Dr. Lattie Coor) requested that she work for ASU's Office of the President. While at ASU, Barbara has been the Director of Building Great Communities, which is now a unit of ASU's Office of Public Affairs. Barbara developed the outreach initiative, ASU for Arizona, which directs projects and programs that serve Arizona's regions. She also directs a statewide pre-college youth outreach program, Club ASU. Before working at ASU, Barbara founded a non-profit organization, The Institute for Community Initiatives, and its pilot project, "Sustaining Systems: A data driven approach to financially sustaining a comprehensive system of care" which was commissioned by the United States Department of Health and Human Services (Child, Adolescent and Family Branch, Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services) and the Annie E. Casey Foundation. The Sustaining Systems project was named a best practice for the American Institute of Research's Center for Effective Collaboration and Practice. Barbara has a BA in Religious Studies from Arizona State University and an MBA from the University of Phoenix. She has held a variety of leadership roles on national and local boards and commissions. Barbara is married and has two adult sons. She and her husband, who both grew up in Arizona, spend their time hiking, exploring and appreciating Arizona's outdoors. Barbara also has advanced Spanish language skills.