Ep 49: Embodying Spirit Leadership to Empower Youth & Transform Communities with Barbara Best

 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: [email protected]  Instagram: @iamerinpatten  Podcast IG: @themetabusinessmillennialpodcast  LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/iamerinpatten  YouTube: youtube.com/@iamerinpatten    WANT MORE?  Which MetaBusiness Avatar are you? Take this free 15 questions quiz to find out: www.themetabusinessquiz.com  FREE Masterclass:   Get Aligned and Live Abundantly Masterclass  https://www.erinpatten.com/courses/get-aligned-and-live-abundantly  Visualize to Actualize  https://www.erinpatten.com/courses/visualize-to-actualize    Podcast Disclaimer: By accessing this Podcast, I acknowledge that the entire contents and design of this Podcast, are the property of The MetaBusiness World, or used by The MetaBusiness World with permission, and are protected under U.S. and international copyright and trademark laws. Except as otherwise provided herein, users of this Podcast may save and use information contained in the Podcast only for personal or other non-commercial, educational purposes. No other use, including, without limitation, reproduction, retransmission or editing, of this Podcast may be made without the prior written permission of The MetaBusiness World, which may be requested by contacting [email protected]. This podcast is for educational purposes only. The host and guests claims no responsibility to any person or entity for any liability, loss, or damage caused or alleged to be caused directly or indirectly as a result of the use, application, or interpretation of the information presented herein.