Barbara Blackwell stepped into the role of Chief Executive at Principia in July 2022, following four years as Principia’s Chief Advancement Officer and a year as acting Chief Planning Officer. Barbara has more than 35 years of administrative experience at both private liberal-arts colleges and independent secondary schools. She is a proven consensus builder and decision maker, successfully building teams and programs, developing strategy, and fostering innovative approaches. After earning her bachelor’s degree from Allegheny College and JD from the University of Pittsburgh School of Law, Barbara held progressively demanding positions, including serving as Vice President for Development and Donor Relations at the Pittsburgh Foundation, Vice President for Advancement at Washington & Jefferson College, Director of Development at Lake Highland Preparatory School, and Senior Director of Strategic Partnerships at the Institute for the Advancement of the American Legal System at the University of Denver. As Principia’s Chief Executive, Barbara has overall responsibility for strategically leading and managing across Principia, establishing the institutional vision in partnership with the Trustees and the two campus heads, and ensuring the effective operation of Principia School, Principia College, and the shared services units as a single institution.