Since 1988, Barbara Wilson, Acorn Learning and Development’s founder and principal consultant, coach, and catalyst, has been designing and delivering powerful learning programs.

The diverse experiences of her career include:

• 20 years experience as internal coach and trusted advisor to CEOs of a hospital, a bank, and two non-profit educational organizations
  
  
• Nine years as a senior officer for a leading regional bank, guiding its staff development, marketing, and communications strategies through acquisition by a major bank holding company
  
  
• Seven years as corporate program manager for one of the nation’s leading experiential learning facilities, complete with high and low ropes courses
  
  
• Executive Director of the Redwood Dixieland Jazz Festival, a 3-day event staffed by over 200 volunteers, that hosted 12 bands in 6 venues performing continuously from 10 am until midnight each day to more than 10,000 ticket holders
  
  
• Two years as host of “Insight” a talk show on public television
  
  
• Teaching CPR, supervisory skills, and stress management to members of the Hoopa and Yurok Indian tribes
  
  
• Two years as a facilitator with the New Hampshire Best Schools Institute
  
  
• Board positions with the American Cancer Society, American Heart Association, Seacoast Outright, and other local and regional nonprofit organizations
  
  
• Keynote and motivational speaking engagements in California, Chicago, and throughout New England

Barbara earned her Bachelors Degree in Journalism from the University of Wisconsin in Madison and her Master of Arts in Writing from the University of New Hampshire.

She also holds certification as a Continuous Improvement Career Coach from the University of New Hampshire.

Look for professional development seminars facilitated by Barbara each semester through the University of New Hampshire Division of Continuing Education and the University of Southern Maine Center for Continuing Education.