Beth L. Barela has cultivated a legacy of leadership and innovation in information technology service management through a career that spans five decades. With a commitment to excellence and a reputation for turning strategic vision into operational reality, she has become a trusted advisor and mentor to information technology (IT) professionals and organizations alike. As the thought leader practice lead for information technology service management at Service Made Simple, she plays an integral role in shaping the future of service delivery. Her work empowers IT operations leaders to align service management practices with overarching business goals, fostering environments grounded in collaboration, accountability and continuous improvement.
Ms. Barela’s professional journey is supported by a strong academic foundation. She earned a Bachelor of Science in psychology from Regis University, graduating summa cum laude. Her academic background deepened her understanding of human behavior, group dynamics and organizational culture—insights that have proven invaluable throughout her career. She has also earned several professional certifications that reflect her commitment to lifelong learning and leadership development. These include the emotional quotient inventory certification, team emotional and social intelligence survey certification and emergenetics associate certification. Ms. Barela’s contributions have been acknowledged through accolades such as the President’s Club award at US West Inc., affirming her impact and excellence in the field of information technology service management.
Prior to her work at Service Made Simple, Ms. Barela was the chief executive officer and operations excellence thought leader at WWC Ltd., advising clients on operational strategies and performance optimization. Earlier in her career, she worked as data center migration program manager at Red Robin, successfully leading a critical enterprise-level project. She also made a significant impact at TriZetto, where she held roles including vice president of hosting infrastructure, senior director and senior IT consultant. Her leadership was instrumental in turning around challenging client situations, one of which resulted in the renewal of a major contract through effective crisis management and team mobilization.
Ms. Barela’s early career includes pivotal roles that enhanced her expertise in service management and organizational development. As director of IT operations at On Command, she oversaw key infrastructure initiatives. At US West Inc. she was director of data center operations, collaborating with colleagues Tom Grimes and Jack on a redesign of IT operations. This transformation emphasized the value of people and communication, delivering strategic outcomes in half the projected time.
Throughout her career, Ms. Barela has been inspired by exemplary role models and fueled by a desire to overcome what others consider impossible. Her philosophy centers on the belief that success comes through inspiration and persistent effort. She has shared this mindset through civic and community service, notably as a board member, board chair and executive director of the Colorado Women’s Hall of Fame. Her leadership helped advance the organization’s mission of celebrating women’s contributions across the state.
Outside of her professional endeavors, Ms. Barela values time with her children and grandchildren. She enjoys traveling and exploring new places, finding inspiration in the experiences and stories of others. Looking ahead, she remains passionate about supporting women in the workplace and beyond. Her goal is to guide individuals toward self-awareness and achievement, ensuring they recognize their own power to lead and make meaningful change.