Global SPORTING LEADER

For nine years, Barbara was one of just 115 International Olympic Committee (IOC) members, governing the Global Olympic Movement. Her responsibilities included electing host Olympic cities, deciding the sports program for the games, and helping distribute $3.25 million every day back to sports around the world. Representing athletes, women, New Zealand, and Oceania, Barbara served on 13 different commissions and working groups during her tenure.



Barbara spent 20 years on the New Zealand Olympic Committee (NZOC) Athlete's Commission (1996-2016), driving change within the organization to ensure athletes had input in all decision-making processes. From 2005 to 2016, she served on the NZOC Executive Board, further ensuring these changes were implemented.

"After the London Olympic Games, 90% of New Zealand athletes said they felt the NZOC had helped create a culture that enhanced the athletes' experience."

Barbara currently is a Vice President on the International Surfing Association. She has been an integral part of the campaign to include Surfing into the Olympic programme for Tokyo 2020. 

For 12 years (2005-2017), Barbara chaired the Oceania Athletes Commission, focusing on developing the leadership capacity of athletes around the region. The Oceania Athletes Commission trailblazed with forums, education, training, and collaboration, forming the "Voices of the Athletes" program. This initiative called athletes to "be a leader, play true, play safe, go green, stay active." Over 5,000 athletes have benefited from the program, which continues to be delivered at all major games in Oceania.

Barbara was the first-ever chair of the Association of National Olympic Committees (ANOC) Athletes Commission (2013-2018), which is composed of representatives from five continents: Europe, Africa, Asia, the Americas, and Oceania. During her tenure, they created a toolkit, best practice guide, and templates for Athletes Commissions around the world. They also succeeded in ensuring that forums for athletes on each continent now occur every two years

Barbara’s most significant contribution has been in the development of the IOC Athletes 365 Career+ Program, assisting athletes in life after sport. Over the past decade, Barbara has worked with more than 3,000 athletes, coaches, and managers. She is currently the Global Master Trainer for the Athlete 365 Career+ program, which has benefited over 40,000 athletes worldwide.

"The program has been the most inspired seminar I’ve ever been in. This will help me be determined in my sport and I will be the best that I can be because of what I have learned." — Palau Track and Field Athlete