Brandi L. Barr, who has forged a formidable career in her field, is the chief executive officer and chief creative marketing strategist at Above Barr Marketing, holding these leadership positions since 2023. Prior to this, she held a notable tenure at T.Y. Lin International, where she initially was a marketing business development manager from 2008 to 2014, during which she was promoted to associate and later senior associate. Ms. Barr’s leadership skills were further recognized when she became the West region marketing manager and associate vice president from 2018 to 2021, eventually advancing to director of creative services and marketing and associate vice president until 2023. She also served as a business development coordinator of RBF Consulting, a company of Michael Baker International, from 2006 to 2008.
Earlier in her career, Ms. Barr worked as a marketing coordinator with TBE Group Inc., a company of Cardno, from 2004 to 2006, Breckenridge Group Architects & Planners from 2002 to 2004, and INCA Engineers Inc. from 1999 to 2002. To stay up to date with innovations in the field, she has also been an active member of various organizations, including the Arizona Chapter of the American Public Works Association since 2007 and the Society of Marketing Professional Services since 2001. Laying an educational foundation, she holds a Bachelor of Arts in communication studies from Arizona State University, earned in 2006.
Beyond her professional endeavors, Ms. Barr is deeply involved in civic activities. She has served as chief executive officer of Baseball Paaralan since 2024 and general manager and chief executive officer of BP GRIT since 2023. Additionally, she is committed to youth development, having dedicated her time as a baseball manager for Cactus Foothills Little League since 2022 and her previous position as board director for Dance Motion Performing Company from 2019 to 2021.
Ms. Barr’s most significant achievement lies in her courage to challenge the status quo that once defined her professional environment. In one of her previous roles, she grew increasingly uneasy with the lack of innovation and direction in their projects. However, she believed she was expected to be “seen but not heard.” This dynamic changed during a pivotal meeting when her boss directly questioned her silence. In response, she openly shared her feelings of being undervalued. Her boss, recognizing the need for open communication, encouraged her to voice her opinions and take an active role in shaping decisions. This pivotal moment transformed her confidence and career trajectory, propelling her to the role of vice president and positioning her as a key decision-maker.
In light of her impressive undertakings, Ms. Barr has been honored with the President’s Award from the SMPS Arizona Chapter in 2024 for her efforts in reviving a mentorship program. She also received accolades for Best Project Pursuit in 2016 and was named Marketer of the Year in 2015. She attributes her success to the professional network she cultivated throughout her career and the unwavering encouragement from her father, who inspired her to stay open to opportunities and avoid complacency. Additionally, she believes her competitive spirit and strong desire to succeed distinguish her from others in her field.
When advising aspiring professionals, Ms. Barr encourages those entering the field to remain resilient and understand that success requires hard work and perseverance. She also emphasizes the importance of building a strong network, as her own professional connections have been instrumental in shaping her journey and enabling her entrepreneurial success.
Excited about the future, Ms. Barr is focused on expanding Above Barr Marketing by recruiting talent and cultivating a creative, inclusive environment where individuals can excel regardless of gender. Additionally, through her work with Baseball Paaralan, she aspires to transform club baseball in Arizona and beyond, ensuring a lasting legacy that extends well beyond her children’s involvement in the program. Outside of her professional endeavors, Ms. Barr enjoys playing softball with her three children, golfing, and creating cherished family moments through board games and quality time together.