Barry's experience as an anthropologist and filmmaker have trained him to listen and ask questions so that when an organization is seeking change, he can be attuned to what will actually work.  Barry helps clients through complicated change processes, recognizing that communication styles and culture can be leveraged to reach business goals.

Whether working with a global company to develop  business acumen among a new group of young executives, public broadcasters committed to reshaping their station's strategy in light of technological change, a growing family-owned real estate company trying to maintain its strong organizational identity and culture, or a nonprofit organization reexamining its mission, Barry understands that people invest their personal identities in their work, and organizations that recognize this can harness employees’ passions in ways that support both organizational and individual aspirations . Barry draws on his many years of work as a professor and his broad industry experience in consulting to help guide clients through difficult issues, and to learn from their experience.  

Barry co-leads CFAR’s Action Learning and Owner-led and Family Businesses practice areas and is a member of the Campaign Approach to Change focus area.

Skills/Knowledge/Abilities

• Systems Thinking - Understands the complex ripple effects set off by actions taken in one part of an organizations or industry.
• Organizational Development - Builds capabilities that support strategic directions.
• Analytic Insight - Can synthesize diverse sources of information into a coherent story.

Recent Projects

• For a large global corporation, he directs the Action Learning component of a three year Wharton Executive Education program.
• For a public broadcasting station, he worked with the leadership team to develop a new approach to strategy, visibility and membership that is seen as a pioneering approach nationwide.
• For a national nonprofit agency, he conducted a broad-based evaluation of a financial-management system.
• For a major hospital system, he worked with the top team to reorganize care management across the network.

Professional Facts

Co-leader of CFAR's Owner-Led and Family Business practice area.

Ph.D. in Communication from the Annenberg School at the University of Pennsylvania.

Worked in higher education, developing the curriculum for and directing a new academic program in communication at the University of the Arts in Philadelphia.

Documentary filmmaker for over 20 years, with numerous broadcasts, grants and awards.

Chairs the Strategic Planning committee for the board of SEAMAAC, a not-for-profit offering social services to Philadelphia's Southeast Asian community.

Selected Writing

"Social Capital, Civic Space, and the Digital Revolution: Emerging Strategies for Public Broadcasting."
In Public Broadcasting and the Public Interest.

"Putting American Public Television Documentary in Its Places."
In Media Worlds: Anthropology on New Terrain. Producing Public Television. Princeton University Press. 1998.

Dear America: Transparency, Authority and Interpretation in a Vietnam War Documentary.
In From Hanoi to Hollywood: The Vietnam War Film. Rutgers University Press.