Barbara Best (https://www.linkedin.com/in/barbara-best-6131368/) 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. Guided
by a north star of healthy interconnectedness, she inspires joy, purpose, and
connection in the people and communities she serves.
Barbara serves as Executive Director of Convu, a vibrant community that builds
capacity for deep listening and peer coaching in schools, workplaces, and
communities. Convu generates positive community impact in cultivating dialogue,
listening, and belonging through the Harvard University Peer Coaching Initiative
(HUPCI) and the Massachusetts General Hospital Peer Coaching Initiative (MGH
PCI).
 
We’re excited to expand peer coaching in organizations and communities across
sectors and create spaces for people to listen, learn, and grow together. We believe
that leadership is a shared practice – and that real change starts in the quality of our
conversations.
 
Barbara holds a Doctor in Education Leadership (EdLD) from the Harvard Graduate
School of Education. She led a three year initiative to cultivate school and community
connectedness in Reading Public Schools in Massachusetts, United States.
Barbara is committed to centering compassion in leadership – to meet suffering with
kindness and know that we are not alone as we work for transformation.
Barabara talks to Dr Mealey about the importance of compassionate leadership,
listening to create communities of belonging and a culture of nurturing and safety for
future generations.