Community & Work
Kristin Barker
Champion of Economic Empowerment
Subject Matter Expertise:
The Value & Importance of Work
Addressing Poverty at a Community Level
Community Collaboration Between Businesses and Non-Profits
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Vice President of Workforce Solutions
Kristin Barker
Kristin is the Vice President of Workforce Solutions at the Georgia Center for Opportunity (GCO). She spearheads GCO’s BETTER WORK initiative, a program designed to make employment a community-wide effort—one that leads to great economic mobility for the unemployed and underemployed.
Kristin joined GCO in 2018 to lead the BETTER WORK chapter in Columbus, GA. Under her leadership, BETTER WORK Columbus witnessed a remarkable 333% increase in the number of job-seekers supported through employment connections, training and mentoring, and local human service resources. With her profound belief in the power of collaboration, Kristin has played a pivotal role in fostering partnerships between businesses, non-profits, schools, and civic leaders to create sustainable solutions for economic prosperity and poverty reduction. She now oversees GCO’s entire BETTER WORK initiative, which includes two chapters in Columbus and Gwinnett.
In 2023, Kristin joined forces with GCO’s director of criminal justice initiatives, Josh Crawford, to facilitate and equip a new community network focused on removing crime as a barrier to local economic growth.
At the heart of Kristin’s work is a core belief in servant leadership and the dignity of work. Through her leadership, volunteerism, and commitment to economic empowerment, Kristin continues to leave an indelible mark on the community, proving that with compassion and collaboration, we can create a world where everyone has the opportunity to thrive.
In addition to her extensive community involvement, Kristin is also a devoted wife, mother, and proud grandmother of two.
Prior Experience
Marketing Manager and Senior Operations Manager, Columbus State University Continuing and Professional Education Department
Education
- Bachelor’s Degree in Marketing, Columbus State University
- MBA, Columbus State University
- Jobs for Life Certified Facilitator
Community Involvement
- Kindergarten Readiness Program
- Georgia Adult Education Association
- Chattahoochee Valley Poverty Reduction Coalition
- Mayor’s Commission on Reentry
Examples of Kristin’s Work
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