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