Barbara is a trade and international business development specialist, who has helped tens of thousands of businesses over the past 37 years. She is sought after by private companies, organizations, and governments around the world for her expertise and passionate support of fostering entrepreneurship, business development and growth, and creating win-wins through her extensive network.

Barbara is President of GroYourBiz and of Impact Communications Ltd., a multi-faceted consulting company that features management training and consulting, and international product, business, and market development for the global marketplace.  She created the well-respected Uniquely Programs that assisted 12,000 Canadian entrepreneurs access increased markets, and created and owned a national magazine, a retail store, and an e-commerce site supporting home-based and small businesses.  Barbara is an international leader in the development of SME enterprises, whose work has assisted entrepreneurs and facilitated trade throughout Canada, South-East Asia, USA, South America, Europe, Afghanistan, India and Africa.  She also created and produces the EXCELerate conferences, which initiated the WE Empower UN SDG Challenge, where GroYourBiz™ is a lead sponsor.

Boards and Committees

In a public service capacity, Barbara devotes considerable time and energy to sit on a number of boards and committees concerned with issues of promoting business development, which have included:

  • Member of the Small Business Working Committee for the Federal Government’s Ministry of Finance and Ministry of Industry
  • UBC Entrepreneurship & Venture Capital Research Centre
  • Appointed Member of the SME Advisory Board Member for the Ministry of International Trade Committee by Canada’s Minister of International Trade
  • Board of Director for the Leadership and Management Council of B.C.
  • Member of the National Advisory Council for Women in Business for the Royal Bank
  • Member of the Small Business Strategy Committee for B.C.
  • Chair of the Small Business Advisory Committee for the Royal Bank of Canada
  • Member of the Abbotsford Economic Development Commission
  • Board of Director for the Canadian Council for Small Business
  • Supporting & Lead Partner of WE Empower UN SDG Challenge
  • Member of the Treasury Board of Canada’s Joint Forum on Small Business Issues BC Business Task Force
  • Global Membership Circle for the Cherie Blair Foundation for Women
  • Member for Regulatory Issues for the Ministry of Finance and Ministry of Small Business
  • Vice-Chair of the Canada BC Business Services Society
  • Advisory Board of KCTS Public Broadcasting TV station in Seattle, Washington
  • Vice-President of Memberships for IWF Canada (International Women’s Forum)
  • Advisory Board Member of the Global Banking Alliance for Women Entrepreneurs
  • Executive Director of Women Trading Globally for the Global Banking Alliance for Women Entrepreneurs


Membership in Professional Societies and Organizations

  • Certified woman business owner of WBE Canada
  • Organization of Women In International Trade (OWIT)
  • The International Alliance of Women
  • International Women’s Forum
  • Centre for Women in Business
  • Canadian Women’s Chamber of Commerce
  • We Connect International

Awards

Barbara has been broadly recognized for her significant contributions and numerous achievements, including:

  • 2019 BMO Trailblazers and Innovators Honoree
  • 2014 Champion of Change Award presented by WPO Vancouver Chapters and GroYourBiz
  • 2013  Vancouver’s YWCA Women of Distinction Connecting the Community Award
  • 2011  Recipient of the TIAW Global World of Difference Awards for the advancement of women’s economic and social empowerment
  • 2011  PWN (Professional Women’s Network) 15th Anniversary celebrating “most dedicated supporters of women in business”
  • 2011  Order of Abbotsford
  • 2010  Governor General’s Awards in Commemoration of the Persons Case recognizing outstanding individuals who have helped to advance equality for women and girls in Canada
  • 2010  Ambassador Award for WBE Canada
  • 2009  Global EXEC Women’s Canadian International Women of Influence Awards™ for Emerging/Growth Company
  • 1994 Nominated for the Ernst & Young Entrepreneurship Awards in the category of “Supporter to Entrepreneurship”
  • 1993  Winner of the Canadian Women Entrepreneur of the Year Award for Impact on the Local Economy
  • 1992  Awarded the Commemorative medal for the 125th Anniversary of Canadian Confederation