Barbara is a senior Marketing/Advertising executive accomplished in building brands, leading cross-disciplined teams toward common goals, defining new approaches for development of marketing programs, and capturing sustainable savings to fund growth.

Barbara has proven success managing integrated communications at leading advertising agencies, blue chip, Fortune 500 companies and in the classroom at premier academic institutions. Her achievements include reviving declining brands, launching new products to exceed objectives, developing and leading Integrated Marketing Communications, ensuring consumer focused solutions and driving programs to capture savings in indirect services. A problem solver able to quickly assess and diagnose challenges, she knows how to work collaboratively to drive innovative solutions. An outstanding coach, counselor, trainer and relationship manager, Ford is a highly respected leader among internal and external constituents.

Prior to joining Griffin Strategic Advisors, Ford served as Director, Marketing Services, for SC Johnson & Son – leading change across a 60 person department with responsibility for Media, Consumer Promotion, Marketing Research, Consumer Relations, Consumer Relationship Management and the introduction of Shopper Marketing. Ford strengthened leadership, improved accountability to marketing partners, increased speed to insights/action, and upgraded talent.

Prior to SC Johnson, Ford was Vice President, Global Advertising Resources and Marketing Training for Kraft Foods. In addition to leading work in marketing fundamentals, including brand positioning, consumer insight, and advertising strategy, she drove the development of integrated communications, creating and providing training for Marketing and Marketing Services staff. She led post acquisition integration of Nabisco’s advertising function, including harmonizing the approach to advertising and agency management yielding $4 million in annual savings.

Prior to joining Kraft Foods, Ford was an independent consultant working with major multinational advertisers including Kraft General Foods, Citibank N.A., and Ameritech. As a consultant to large, decentralized organizations, she defined policies and procedures for efficient management of advertising, including establishing agency compensation systems and evaluation programs that rewarded superior performance.

Prior to her work as a consultant, Ford was Vice President, Management Representative at DDB, Chicago, a worldwide advertising agency. Her clients included Anheuser Busch, Campbell Soup, Clorox, General Mills, Hasbro, McDonald's, Morton, and Ramada. In addition to leading agency teams and ensuring successful advertising programs, Ford was responsible for efficient management of agency resources on client assignments.

Ford began her professional career in advertising in the Media Department at D'Arcy MacManus & Masius Advertising, Chicago.

Ford has leveraged her professional experience in academia, serving as an Adjunct Assistant Professor of Marketing, and Advertising at the J. L. Kellogg School of Management, Northwestern University, has lectured at Kellogg Executive Programs, co-created a new course in Global Marketing at the University of Chicago Graham School, and developed and delivered pilot classes in Integrated Marketing at Medill School of Journalism, Northwestern University.

Ford has served on the Board of Directors for the Association of National Advertisers (ANA), the Advertising Educational Foundation, Chicago Advertising Federation, and The Advertising Council. She also served on the Board of Trustees of Drake University, and is currently on the Board of Communities in Schools – Chicago.

Ford earned an M.B.A. from Loyola University of Chicago and a B.A. in Journalism from Drake University.