Connie's Biography

Connie Barnaba

Barnaba & Associates, Inc.

Connie Barnaba is the founder and president of Barnaba & Associates, Inc., a Houston consulting firm specializing in improving communication and collaboration among people who disagree.

Connie, who is a business owner, communications consultant, certified mediator, and workshop facilitator sees herself as a “professional peacemaker” helping organizations improve employee morale and productivity while reducing the high cost of workplace conflict.

For four years prior to starting her practice in Houston, Connie served as VP, HR Services operations for Administaff, Inc. where one of her roles was keeping the peace between the corporate legal department and clients resisting compliance with EEO requirements.  While there, she also negotiated a peace process for sales consultants and service providers to collaborate in achieving client satisfaction and retention. As Executive Manager, Affiliate Services, for the Ohio Education Association, in Columbus, Ohio, from 1998 – 2002, Connie managed the labor relations program, training labor relations consultants in the art of waging war and making peace through the collective bargaining process in 700 school districts across the state.

A sought-after speaker on the topic of resolving conflict created by diversity and exclusion, Connie has first-hand experience with what it feels like to be excluded - even in organizations where she was hired to make a difference.